Louis van Gaal has revealed Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick approached him earlier this season over their concerns about the dressing-room atmosphere but said it shows his relationship with the Manchester United players is "superb."

Reports this week suggested some United players were unhappy with Van Gaal's methods.

It has now emerged that United captain Rooney and vice-captain Carrick went to see Van Gaal, who admitted they had said the atmosphere at the club was "flat."

However, the Dutchman believes it is a sign of the strength of his bond with his team that they had an open conversation that he acted upon, and said reports that he does not have his players' backing are untrue.

"Rooney and Carrick, the captains, came to me and said the dressing room is flat and they wanted to say that to me because they wanted to help me," Van Gaal said in a news conference.

"And then I have played so much attention and then I communicate not with my captains, because they are trying to warn me, so I go to the dressing room and talk with my players.

"We have discussed a lot of aspects but not what some have written. The fans are shouting every week 'Louis van Gaal's army' so the fans are very satisfied with me and the players are very satisfied with me. Some players are coming to me to apologise for what is written in the papers this week.

"I have a superb relationship with my players. Maybe you have to consider how many players are coming to the manager to say something.