Manchester United Players Must Bounce Back Quickly After Criticism from LVG

Most Premier League managers are happy to spend the few minutes before kick-off in their offices or, for away games, in a quiet corner of the dressing room. But not Louis van Gaal.

Dressed in his matchday club suit, he's out on the touchline watching the warm-up. He never says anything or gets involved in any way. He just stands there. Watching.

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To the United fans inside Goodison Park and those watching on television, the warm-up before the meeting with Everton will have looked normal. The same drills executed in the same way.

But as Van Gaal watched the players run, sprint and stretch, he noticed something was different, as he pointed out after the 3-0 defeat, his heaviest as Manchester United's manager. 

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It is the first time that I have seen that our motivation, inspiration and aggression was not so high as the opponent and in sport you shall always be compared to your opponent and that was the reason.

I had already the feeling and my colleagues Ryan Giggs and Albert Stuivenberg had the feeling because the warm up was not so good as usual. Then you say that in the last minutes before the game you hope you can recover and stimulate your players but then it is too late.

"

Van Gaal, we are told, can be a very difficult manager to play for. His methods are unconventional and his philosophy can be complicated for those who have been used to playing without thinking.

It's something, however, the Dutchman understands, and he's shown he's willing to give players the opportunity to learn. But he will have no patience for those who cannot motivate themselves.

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It's the one deadly sin for a footballer. A bad day at the office can be forgiven as long as it doesn't happen very often. But a lack of effort or enthusiasm, whether it's in a training session or a game, is not so easily forgotten.

United's impressive end to the season has ensured most of Van Gaal's squad will survive the changes this summer. At least, that was before they were accused of a lack of effort by Van Gaal.

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Defeat to Everton on Sunday has raised the possibility, however slight, that United could still miss out on a place in the top four. They will need to bounce back quickly when West Bromwich Albion visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

The players will too after being publicly criticised by their manager. They will do well to remember that whether it's training, a warm-up or a game, Van Gaal is watching. And in the summer, it will be up to him to decide their fate.