Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal was not in the best of humour during his press conference ahead of the club's return to European football in a Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge, and was sharp in his responses on a number of topics.
On Friday night we brought you the unanimously negative twitter reaction to Wayne Rooney's performance against Aston Villa, which was for the most part fully justified as Rooney had one of the more forgettable showings since early in the contract dispute season of 2010, but Van Gaal was not happy when the British press pushed him on the subject.
When asked about Rooney's lack of form, Van Gaal accused the media of contradicting themselves:
All the media has written for one year that I have to put him in the striker’s position, so it’s amazing that after two games you’re doubting your own opinions, I cannot understand that.
I have always confidence in my players.
He's got a point. Last year the debate over Wayne Rooney was asking why he was being "wasted" in midfield, and although he has struggled in his two Premier League games as a striker this season, some of his best performances and patches of form have come from leading the line.
Louis Van Gaal wasn't finished there, as he gave a sassy response to the suggestion that Juan Mata should be played centrally as opposed to on the wing:
Maybe you should ask the United board if you are the trainer coach of Manchester United?
When I say something the media puts it into another context. I have seen that with my words on De Gea.
You get the feeling that he's getting a bit fed up with the faces that regularly appear at his press conferences.
You can watch the interview in full below, and Manchester United are in action on Tuesday night at home to Club Brugge, which kicks off at 7.45pm.
