Louis van Gaal thinks Manchester United are putting his chances of success in jeopardy by dragging the first-team squad across the United States on their pre-season tour.

United start their pre-season campaign in the early hours of Thursday morning when they face the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California.

It will be the first game of a two-and-a-half-week long tour that could see United travel almost 13,500 miles if they reach the final of the International Champions Cup - the pre-season tournament which includes some of the best clubs in Europe.

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After the game in LA, United travel to Denver, Washington DC, Detroit and they will then make the three-hour flight to Miami if they top their group, which contains Roma, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

In between the matches, the players have to appear at sponsor events while they are also duty-bound to conduct interviews for the club's in-house TV channel.

Video: Louis van Gaal unveiled as Manchester United boss

It all seems too much for Van Gaal, who made his annoyance perfectly clear at his first pre-match press conference in the US.

When asked whether United's commercial commitments were impinging on football matters, Van Gaal said: "More or less, yes because we have to prepare the season and when you have a lot of commercial activities also for the players, and you have to travel distances, you have to fly a lot, you have also jet lag, and that is not very positive for a good preparation.

"But the tour was already arranged so I have to adapt, I shall adapt."

Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester United: Potential summer transfer targets Show all 19 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester United: Potential summer transfer targets 1/19 Arturo Vidal The Juventus midfielder is among United's top targets this summer, particularly after impressing for Chile at the World Cup. Having helped his current team secure the Serie A title, Juventus aren't keen on letting him go. Getty Images 2/19 Marco Reus Rumoured to be near the top of United's target list, a possible swap deal involving cash and Shinji Kagawa has been mentioned. The Borussia Dortmund player would not be a cheap acquisition, especially given his recent declaration that he wants to stay at Dortmund next season Getty Images 3/19 Arda Turan Former manager David Moyes had been seen watching Turan, though his dismissal put a doubt over whether United were still interested. The winger's agent claims an offer has been made, so is the Atletico Madrid winger on his way to Old Trafford? Getty Images 4/19 Arjen Robben The Bayern Munich winger has said Van Gaal has offered him a place at Old Trafford if he wants it. Currently he's happy to stay where he is, but things can quickly change. GETTY IMAGES 5/19 Claudio Marchisio With Paul Pogba highly unlikely to be prised away from Juventus, United's attention could turn to team-mate Claudio Marchisio. The Italian international would provide some class and experience. 6/19 Mats Hummels With defensive reinforcements high on United's list of priorities, Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels has unsurprisingly been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The German has been earmarked as the ideal replacement for the now-departed Rio Ferdinand and after his impressive showing at the World Cup, he's even more desirable. GETTY IMAGES 7/19 Raphael Varane Raphael Varane has already snubbed United once in his career, opting instead to join Real Madrid. It would surely take a big offer to prise the classy defender away now. GETTY IMAGES 8/19 Seamus Coleman Reportedly already the subject of a £15m bid, Seamus Coleman could be the man being lined up as the answer to United's problems at right-back. GETTY IMAGES 9/19 William Carvalho The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has reportedly been watched 15 times by Manchester United, although the £29m asking price could prove a stumbling block. The Portugal international has also been linked with Arsenal. Getty Images 10/19 Xherdan Shaqiri Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has struggled to force his way into the first team at the Allianz Arena and could be a target for United as well as rivals Liverpool. His impressive displays for Switzerland this summer could make it harder to prise him away. GETTY IMAGES 11/19 Alex Song Barcelona are understood to be ready to let the former Arsenal player leave this summer. Could provide some strength to United's midfield. Could also bring embarrassment judging by his behaviour at the World Cup. GETTY IMAGES 12/19 Fabio Coentrao Supposedly came within hours of signing in January, the Portuguese left back could be brought in to provide back-up to Luke Shaw. 13/19 Julian Draxler A long time Arsenal target, United are reportedly interested in pinching the young German with a bumper offer. Seems unlikely though. Arsenal also strongly interested. 14/19 Sami Khedira The Germany international is reportedly being pursued by a host of sides, and United might be wise to get in the mix as they look to add some quality to a fairly feeble looking midfield. Real Madrid appear open to letting him go with the 27-year-old having just one year left on his contract. Arsenal and Chelsea are among the others keen on signing the World Cup winner. 15/19 Edinson Cavani The Uruguayan hitman would prove pricey and tricky to snatch away from PSG and it seems unlikely United have enough to offer him. 16/19 Luciano Vietto The Racing Club youngster has been impressing in Argentina for some time although a move directly to United would be something of a surprise. 17/19 Santiago Arias Should a move for Seamus Coleman fail, PSV defender Arias is reportedly being lined up by United. Played for Colombia throughout the group stage of the World Cup. 18/19 Miralem Pjanic Rumoured to part of a joint bid including teammate Benatia, the Bosnian midfielder is reportedly another on United's large hit list. Getty 19/19 Kevin Strootman Van Gaal knows Strootman well from working with him in the Netherlands set-up and has indicated he is interested. Roma are reluctant to sell whilst his recovery from a knee injury may prove a stumbling block. GETTY IMAGES 1/19 Arturo Vidal The Juventus midfielder is among United's top targets this summer, particularly after impressing for Chile at the World Cup. Having helped his current team secure the Serie A title, Juventus aren't keen on letting him go. Getty Images 2/19 Marco Reus Rumoured to be near the top of United's target list, a possible swap deal involving cash and Shinji Kagawa has been mentioned. The Borussia Dortmund player would not be a cheap acquisition, especially given his recent declaration that he wants to stay at Dortmund next season Getty Images 3/19 Arda Turan Former manager David Moyes had been seen watching Turan, though his dismissal put a doubt over whether United were still interested. The winger's agent claims an offer has been made, so is the Atletico Madrid winger on his way to Old Trafford? Getty Images 4/19 Arjen Robben The Bayern Munich winger has said Van Gaal has offered him a place at Old Trafford if he wants it. Currently he's happy to stay where he is, but things can quickly change. GETTY IMAGES 5/19 Claudio Marchisio With Paul Pogba highly unlikely to be prised away from Juventus, United's attention could turn to team-mate Claudio Marchisio. The Italian international would provide some class and experience. 6/19 Mats Hummels With defensive reinforcements high on United's list of priorities, Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels has unsurprisingly been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The German has been earmarked as the ideal replacement for the now-departed Rio Ferdinand and after his impressive showing at the World Cup, he's even more desirable. GETTY IMAGES 7/19 Raphael Varane Raphael Varane has already snubbed United once in his career, opting instead to join Real Madrid. It would surely take a big offer to prise the classy defender away now. GETTY IMAGES 8/19 Seamus Coleman Reportedly already the subject of a £15m bid, Seamus Coleman could be the man being lined up as the answer to United's problems at right-back. GETTY IMAGES 9/19 William Carvalho The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has reportedly been watched 15 times by Manchester United, although the £29m asking price could prove a stumbling block. The Portugal international has also been linked with Arsenal. Getty Images 10/19 Xherdan Shaqiri Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has struggled to force his way into the first team at the Allianz Arena and could be a target for United as well as rivals Liverpool. His impressive displays for Switzerland this summer could make it harder to prise him away. GETTY IMAGES 11/19 Alex Song Barcelona are understood to be ready to let the former Arsenal player leave this summer. Could provide some strength to United's midfield. Could also bring embarrassment judging by his behaviour at the World Cup. GETTY IMAGES 12/19 Fabio Coentrao Supposedly came within hours of signing in January, the Portuguese left back could be brought in to provide back-up to Luke Shaw. 13/19 Julian Draxler A long time Arsenal target, United are reportedly interested in pinching the young German with a bumper offer. Seems unlikely though. Arsenal also strongly interested. 14/19 Sami Khedira The Germany international is reportedly being pursued by a host of sides, and United might be wise to get in the mix as they look to add some quality to a fairly feeble looking midfield. Real Madrid appear open to letting him go with the 27-year-old having just one year left on his contract. Arsenal and Chelsea are among the others keen on signing the World Cup winner. 15/19 Edinson Cavani The Uruguayan hitman would prove pricey and tricky to snatch away from PSG and it seems unlikely United have enough to offer him. 16/19 Luciano Vietto The Racing Club youngster has been impressing in Argentina for some time although a move directly to United would be something of a surprise. 17/19 Santiago Arias Should a move for Seamus Coleman fail, PSV defender Arias is reportedly being lined up by United. Played for Colombia throughout the group stage of the World Cup. 18/19 Miralem Pjanic Rumoured to part of a joint bid including teammate Benatia, the Bosnian midfielder is reportedly another on United's large hit list. Getty 19/19 Kevin Strootman Van Gaal knows Strootman well from working with him in the Netherlands set-up and has indicated he is interested. Roma are reluctant to sell whilst his recovery from a knee injury may prove a stumbling block. GETTY IMAGES

Van Gaal has only been in place for a week, but he has already made his disquiet about United's commercial activities clear on two occasions.

As well as Tuesday night's complaint, Van Gaal said at his unveiling: "Within two days I know already how important Manchester United is, but also how important the sponsors are and I have to work and prepare a team and I have to adapt to this big club. It will not be easy."

Van Gaal's blunt and honest assessment flew in the face of comments made his boss Ed Woodward less than 24 hours earlier.

Responding to the comments made by Van Gaal at his unveiling, United's executive vice-chairman said on Monday: "It doesn't disrupt the football club."

Woodward said he was open to discussions with Van Gaal about where he thought the club should go on tour next year.

Keen to maximise their profits and broaden their fan-base, United have been on long-haul tours for the last 10 years.

Last summer they clocked up 23,000 miles travelling between Australia, Thailand, China and Japan.

The club have been keen to tap in to the Asian market in the last few years and South Africa, as well as the States, has been a regular destination for the squad in pre-season.

Van Gaal has made it clear he will not accept such a draining tour as the current one next summer.

"Manchester United shall do everything to adapt to my rules for good preparation," the Dutchman said.

When asked if he would like a shorter tour next year with less travelling, Van Gaal said: "Yeah, I hope that. They have already said that to me. And I am very confident that it shall be."

The message to the club's hierarchy was clear from Van Gaal - 'I am the boss and I know how to get the best out of these players'.

One only had to turn up on the eve of the friendly in LA to see how big an attraction United are.

Around 2,500 paying customers sat in the stands at the 90,000-capacity Rose Bowl just to watch the squad train.

And just as Van Gaal had made it clear he is the boss in the press conference, he also did so on the pitch, standing tall and observing his players as they went through shooting drills.

There were a few hairy moments for Phil Jones when he kept missing the target, but the defender did get a double high-five from his new boss when he finally beat David de Gea from 18 yards.

There was a professional and thorough approach from the squad as they were put through their paces in the California heat.

Since they landed on Friday night, a succession of players have said they have been impressed with Van Gaal's coaching sessions, and the manager himself has been pleased with the response of his squad.

"I have to say that it has been fantastic," said the 62-year-old, who started his job last Wednesday after taking Holland to the last four of the World Cup.

"Maybe you think every coach who is new should say that but I mean it.

"The players are anxious to follow the instructions of my assistants. The focus I have seen in the training sessions, it is top level but we have to see if the performance (in games) is top level.

"But I am very happy with the labour that my players do in the days I have been with them."

A crowd of over 70,000 is expected at the Rose Bowl for the friendly, which kicks off at 2.30 am UK time.

PA

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