Louis van Gaal admits that he has endured an ‘awful’ two weeks since Manchester United’s chastening defeat at Arsenal, warning his players that it was not acceptable if they want to be champions.

The United boss revealed that the 3-0 loss at the Emirates had plunged him into a fortnight of analysis and introspection during the international break, questioning his preparation, days off given to the team and even mode of transport. Van Gaal admitted that the entire staff had to share the blame – even the team chef.

‘Two weeks is awful when you have such a result,’ he said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton. ‘These are awful weeks because you are thinking about how it happened and you cannot manage it with your players. They are flying out, and especially after the last game because we played on a Sunday. They flew directly after the match.

Louis van Gaal says the last two weeks after the 3-0 defeat by Arsenal have been 'awful'

Van Gaal says everyone at the club, including his cook Mike, must behave like champions

‘They are coming back Wednesday and even yesterday (Thursday) – Sergio Romero and Antonio Valencia. They could not participate in our meetings before the game against Everton.

‘It is difficult for me. Then I have to speak about the match against Arsenal because you have to analyse, learn from it and improve.

WHO IS THE UNITED CHEF? Mike Donnelly is the head chef at Manchester United's Carrington training ground. Last season Louis van Gaal revealed Mike had given him lessons on the rivalry between United and Liverpool. Van Gaal said: 'He is very passionate about his football and I know that he and all our fans will want to go into work with what Mike tells me are "bragging rights".' Advertisement

‘We have communicated and spoken about it with a lot of players. There were already two busy days. We are always evaluating ourselves. We cannot accept that. Not just me. Not only my members of staff, but the players cannot accept it from each other. We want to be the champions so you have to behave like champions, to improve yourself to be champions in the future.

‘It is not only the players it is the staff, and my cook Mike because he has a big influence on the atmosphere in the canteen. A lot of people are always important in this.

Manchester United head chef Mike Donnelly (second right) pictured alongside Ryan Giggs (left)

Donnelly (right) gave Van Gaal lessons on the rivalry with Liverpool during his first season at the club

United boss van Gaal watches from the touchline during the defeat at the Emirates a fortnight ago

Van Gaal says he and his players cannot accept a performance like during the Arsenal defeat

United were three goals down inside the opening 19 minutes at Arsenal as they were blown away en route to their second league defeat of the season. Van Gaal admits that he has questioned his decision to give the players the Friday off and travel to London by air rather than train.

He added: ‘I have to evaluate too, because I have changed the sequence of the preparation because I gave them Friday off. That is also an influence. Then I have to play 11 versus 11 one day before the game for example. I have to give the analysis of Arsenal one day before the game. The process of preparation is different.

‘We go by airplane, and that’s different because last year we go by train. There are a lot of differences but the biggest one was the start of the game. Arsenal had an accuracy of passes, 96 per cent. Normally Manchester United have that and we had 68 per cent (at the start).

Alexis Sanchez (right) scored twice as Manchester United were put to the sword in a pulsating first 30 minutes

Mesut Ozil (centre( picks his spot as United fell to their second defeat of the Premier League season

‘After that we had 90 per cent but it was already 3-0 and we had lost the game. We have spoken that it must not happen. We started badly and Arsenal were so good, That’s maybe a coincidence but I don’t believe in them. I believe in focus and preparation.’

Van Gaal confirmed that captain Wayne Rooney and midfielder Michael Carrick are both fit to face Everton on Saturday despite missing England games with injury.

The experienced duo sat out both of England's final two Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania but have shaken off injuries in time for the weekend.

Defender Marcos Rojo and Spaniard Ander Herrera are both available for the Goodison Park clash but the United manager said it is unlikely either will be able to play 90 minutes.