I'm not a dictator - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists he is not a dictator but is instead a “very flexible man” following recent criticisms of his character.

Van Gaal has forged a reputation as a stern leader during successful but often controversial spells in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, and was also known to ruffle feathers in his playing days.

The Dutchman has been slammed by several prominent former footballers, including Faustino Asprilla and Hristo Stoichkov, in recent weeks, but says his image as a fearsome authoritarian is far from the truth.

"I am a very flexible man," he told MUTV. "[People] are always thinking I am a boss, maybe a dictator. I am not like that. I am a very flexible man. My wife does know that."

Van Gaal has come in for criticism at several different stages this season but wins over Liverpool and Tottenham have lifted spirits at Old Trafford in recent weeks, and he says he has needed time to adapt to life in England.

"You have to evaluate and adapt to the culture of the club," he added. "The way I work here with Manchester United is different to the way I worked with Bayern Munich or the Dutch national team.

"There are lot of aspects in my philosophy I shall stick to but a lot I shall change and it can only change because of the members of my staff or my players. They can change my thoughts. We have to wait and see how many aspects I have changed after one year."

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has also revealed what life is like working under Van Gaal at Old Trafford.

"He is very approachable. He always says to his players you can go and talk to him, whether it is about football or other things,” he said.

"He is 100 per cent serious when it comes to training but if you are speaking to him about other things, he is a genuinely nice guy. He is someone that as a player, you can trust."

Credit: Goal.com