There was a huge story dominating European football yesterday. You read the reports- Senior players at Manchester United had confronted Manager Louis van Gaal due to his tactics and his philosophy. So how much of this story is smoke, and how much of it is fire? One thing we know is that this narrative probably wouldn’t be prominent if United was in first or second place.
Winning cures everything. However, United have spent big money and they’re currently out of the top four. So it opens the door to media coverage of the unrest.
Louis van Gaal confirmed that Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick did come to him to discuss the club’s issues. However, the Dutchman shot down the idea that there is unrest.
He told reporters: “I have a superb relationship with my players.”
“In my career as a manager, I didn’t have that many saying something about the atmosphere in the dressing room and the way we train.
“So it is very positive. You know they trust you. I have been reading things in the papers saying things we have not talked about.”
“These aspects are not what has happened.”
Louis van Gaal than burst into song during the press conference, chanting ‘Louis van Gaal’s army’. (Here’s the video)
He said: “The fans are shouting every week ‘Louis van Gaal’s army’. They are very satisfied and the players satisfied.”
“I can say only that I have a very good relationship with my players, but it is logical now that only nine are left from the initial group – The others I have bought will not say I am a lousy manager.”
Good times! Well done Louis van Gaal! Any time you can see and hear signing in a presser; that’s win-win.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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