Louis van Gaal is facing growing resentment in the Manchester United dressing room about his tactics.

The United manager retains the backing of the club’s hierarchy, despite being dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage after a 3-2 defeat away to Wolfsburg on Tuesday, but there is mounting frustration and disenchantment among the players over his approach and methods.

The Times understands that Van Gaal’s decision to remove Juan Mata — the provider of the first goal for Anthony Martial, and his most creative player — in the 69th minute when United were trailing 2-1 was greeted with bemusement by team-mates.

Van Gaal was widely criticised for bringing on Nick Powell, who had not played for United’s first team for 16 months,