Louis van Gaal has admitted Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick came to him to say the Manchester United dressing room was flat. The manager stated he welcomed the dialogue and had a “superb relationship” with his players.

Van Gaal was reacting to reports during the week that there was unrest among his squad due to his managerial approach. The 64-year-old shrugged this off though he did concede Rooney and Carrick, his captain and vice-captain, had approached him on behalf of the players.

Van Gaal said: “I think I have a superb relationship with my players. Maybe you have to consider how many players are coming to the manager to say something. In my career as a manager, I didn’t have so many who come to say something about the atmosphere in the dressing room or the way we train, or something like that. But it is very positive that they are coming to you and that they trust you.

“I have read things that we haven’t talked about. It is the same story as last year, but the consequence of the philosophy is that we have to release players. The whole dressing room has been changed. Can you imagine when your friend must leave? What are your feelings then?

“Rooney and Carrick came to me and said the dressing room is flat – they told me to help me. I communicate not only with my captains, they try to warn me. I then go to my dressing room and discuss with my players and we discussed a lot of aspects – but not what some have written.”

Apologise

United continue to draw criticism for their uneven displays but Van Gaal is adamant the players and supporters are behind him. “The fans are shouting every week: ‘Louis van Gaal’s army, Louis van Gaal’s army,’” he said. “They are very satisfied and the players satisfied. Some players are coming to me to apologise about what has been said in the papers.

“I said [previously] Rooney is the best captain and that is what I mean. When I say Rooney is my best captain, I say something about Danny Blind [his captain when in charge of Ajax] and he will read that and be disappointed. I say always what I feel and how it is.

“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.”

Van Gaal also admitted that 19-year-old Anthony Martial, who cost £36 million (€49m) rising to a potential £58m (€79m), will require time to settle in. “There is a market price and we cannot have any influence on that price,” said the manager. “I said to Ed [Woodward, the executive vice-chairman] that he is the best of his age and we need a striker for the future. We could wait a year and pay another £10m. I imagine the fans think: ‘£50m, he has to score.’ No, he is 19 and he has to adapt.”

“You could see how Di María and Falcao struggled. The pressure at United is much higher than at another club, so we mustn’t give him too much pressure. But he must adapt to our culture and philosophy and that is difficult enough. But it counts also for [Adnan] Januzaj and [James] Wilson.”

On loan

Januzaj is now on loan at Borussia Dortmund. “I told Januzaj he would have opportunities [playing] at nine or ten, but decide better to go for a new environment, play more and see if you develop. I have said the same to James, only to a Championship club, so I can call back if I get a striker injured. But another year like last year is not good for James or Januzaj.”

Meanwhile, David de Gea has performed a dramatic U-turn by signing a four-year contract the goalkeeper doing so after accepting Real Madrid were culpable for his move to the Spanish club falling through.

United stated that De Gea’s new contract has an option of a further 12 months. His salary will be raised by at least £150,000 a week to £200,000 [€270,000] a week, with De Gea having been on £40,000 a week ever since he moved to Old Trafford in 2011.

Whether there is a release clause that Real could trigger next summer to revive the transfer is unclear. The 24-year-old had undeniably been set on joining the club and returning to his hometown.

The goalkeeper has yet to feature for United this season but could now return for this evening’s visit of Liverpool. Guardian Service