Manchester United Stars Reportedly Confront Louis van Gaal over Training Methods

A group of senior Manchester United players have reportedly confronted manager Louis van Gaal about his training methods, which lack “creativity and flexibility.”

That’s according to a report in the Times (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star) that claims the meeting happened a couple of weeks ago after a consultation between the players in the dressing room. It’s noted in Williams' piece that the players feel as though Van Gaal’s work on the training pitch is “hampering their performances.”

Captain Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were the players who approached the manager, according to Simon Jones and Jonny Singer of the MailOnline.

United have endured a tough start to the 2015-16 term. The team have earned seven points from a possible 12 so far, but they have been too rigid in attack and subsequently pretty easy to defend against. Despite boasting attacking talent like Rooney, Memphis Depay, Juan Mata and Ashley Young, the Red Devils have only got on the scoresheet three times in the league.

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The indifferent form has prompted criticism aimed at the Dutchman from plenty of high-profile figures. As reported by the MailOnline, a lot of players who left Old Trafford this summer, including Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, Rafael and Javier Hernandez have all aimed barbs at the United boss following their departures.

Even former world No. 1 golfer Rory McIlroy cast his aspersions about whether Van Gaal is the man to take United forward, per Callum Davis of the Daily Telegraph. Bleacher Report UK’s Sam Pilger has also been critical of the former Ajax and Barcelona boss, insisting he is beginning to run out of excuses:

A supposed lack of trust in the manager’s regime could be indicative of further unrest behind the scenes. For a team looking to bridge the gap to the top sides in the Premier League and integrate an influx of new faces, a volatile atmosphere is far from ideal. 

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The treatment of current playing staff is a worry, too. Indeed, according to Marca (h/t Pete Jenson of the MailOnline), the marginalisation of ex-Barcelona man Victor Valdes may have cost Van Gaal the chance to sign the goalkeeper’s former team-mate, Pedro.

But as noted by SportWitness, for every scathing comment about Van Gaal, there seems to be others who are effusive in their praise for the Dutchman:

Indeed, how many other managers receive such reverence from illustrious figures in the game like Andres Iniesta and Xavi? Who else could have lured Bastian Schweinsteiger, a Bayern Munich icon, from Bavaria to Manchester? It’s clear the Dutchman does have some admirable and even endearing qualities, too.

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Xavi has actually spoken recently about Van Gaal, backing the Dutchman to be an emphatic eventual success at Manchester United, per Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star:

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He was ahead of his time when he coached Barcelona. He worked to perfect the training sessions and improve the team technically and tactically.

Twenty years ago he was a very complete coach. He will do a very good job at Manchester United on the long term. He will make them very strong in the Premier League and in the Champions League. I am convinced that he will do a great job.

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But it’s getting to a point where results have to start improving to validate what is clearly a divisive style of management. And as we can see here via Bleacher Report UK, Van Gaal doesn’t compare too well to his much-maligned predecessor:

There is a danger this report could be spun into a major negative. Although the Dutchman has a reputation as a draconian disciplinarian, the best environment at a football club is surely one where senior figures can liaise openly with their team-mates and act as mediators between them and the manager.

For the players, to have said nothing and stewed with frustration would have been unhealthy, and although Van Gaal is stringent with his principles, he is likely to know some adjustments may be required to the training schedule.

Ultimately, things must improve on the pitch to steady a delicate situation; a win over bitter rivals Liverpool on Saturday would be an ideal place to start.