Manchester United's style of play has been criticised in all corners.

Fans, journalists and former players have not been at all impressed with the football served up by Louis van Gaal, whose team ended an eight-game spell without a win with a narrow victory over Swansea City at the weekend.

There has been more criticism this week by a rather more worrying party - their main sponsor.

United dominated the headlines in the summer when they ditched American firm Nike for German rival Adidas, signing a 10-year, £750million sponsorship deal with the sportswear giant.

But Herbert Hainer, current Chief Executive Officer revealed in an interview over the weekend that he would like to see better football at Old Trafford - even if the company is enjoying record sales.

"Business with Man United is going very well, we sell more shirts than expected," he told newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung.

"We are satisfied... even if the current playing style of Man United is not exactly what we want to see."

Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer (Getty Images)

Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Show all 24 1 /24 Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Manchester United vs Swansea ratings David De Gea – 6 out of 10 Coped with most of what Swansea had to offer, could not be said to be at fault for the goal. Denied Williams with a great save late on. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Ashley Young – 9 out of 10 Constantly offered something different as an attack-minded full-back. Delivered a superb cross for the opener, the home side’s best performer. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Phil Jones – 6 out of 10 Will be disappointed to have come off at half-time with an injury after coming back into the side. Rarely troubled in the first-half. Getty Images Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Chris Smalling – 6 out of 10 Not his usual assertive self but, in the early stages especially, did not need to be. Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Daley Blind – 7 out of 10 Took command alongside Smalling after switching to the centre of the park, overshadowing his defensive partner somewhat. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Morgan Schneiderlin – 8 out of 10 A solid presence in the middle of the park and probably the key man if United are to turn their form around. 2016 Getty Images Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6 out of 10 Started off-the-pace but, to his credit, gradually grew into the game. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Juan Mata – 6 out of 10 The Spaniard should have opened the scoring in the first half when clear in the box but his shot was weak and straight at Fabianski. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Ander Herrera – 5 out of 10 Neat in possession but failed to take this chance to solidify a place in the starting line-up. Getty Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Anthony Martial – 8 out of 10 His struggles in the first half were eclipsed by his goal and dynamic presence in the second. Looked like the player he did last September. Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Wayne Rooney – 7 out of 10 Improved of late and made a lively start today. Looked to be lacking sharpness early on but took his goal brilliantly. Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Matteo Darmian – 5 out of 10 Struggled to deal with Barrow’s runs in the second half. Looked like the weak link after coming on for Jones. 2015 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Lukasz Fabianski – 7 out of 10 Tested in the first-half but proved equal to the home side’s efforts. Succumbed to two excellent finishes in the second half. Could’ve scored himself with the last kick of the game. 2016 Getty Images Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Angel Rangel – 6 out of 10 Provided a decent attacking outlet but will be disappointed that he could not contain Martial effectively. Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Fabio Fernandez – 5 out of 10 Should have been closer to Martial and not allowed him to tee-up Rooney’s goal. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Ashley Williams – 7 out of 10 Of late, he has regained the solidity we’ve come to expect, after a few shaky months. The best performer in the away side’s back line today. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Neil Taylor – 5 out of 10 Ashley Young will probably be in this man’s nightmares tonight. Was frequently second-best when up against the former England international. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Leon Britton – 5 out of 10 A key figure in his side’s recent up-turn in form but could not gain a foothold today when up against the superior Schneiderlin. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Ki Sung-Yueng – 5 out of 10 Ultimately not robust and strong enough in the challenge to break up the intricate work of Mata and Herrera. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Jack Cork – 5 out of 10 Guilty, like Sung-Yeung, of failing to control the middle of the park. 2016 Getty Images Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7 out of 10 Swansea’s stand-out player, grabbed stooped low to win a looping header and score. Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Wayne Routledge – 4 out of 10 Rarely involved, largely a peripheral figure. Off the boil this afternoon. Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Andre Ayew – 5 out of 10 Like Routledge, isolated, barring an audacious snap shot that hit the woodwork during the second half. 2016 Manchester United FC Manchester United vs Swansea ratings Mo Barrow – 8 out of 10 Injected pace into a previously lacklustre frontline and turned the game for his side. 2016 Manchester United FC

Van Gaal, who was said to be close to the sack if he lost against Chelsea on 28 December, said the win over Swansea was a good "signal" to play in a more "risky" style for the rest of the season.

"What we showed is that we can perform the game plan in a risky style under this kind of pressure and this is a very positive signal," he said. "Against Chelsea we played in a very risky way and we did the same here.

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