Thursday 4 February 2016 18:19, UK
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has a "difficult personality" and players struggle to deal with him at times, admits defender Guillermo Varela.
The 22-year-old Uruguayan right-back, David Moyes' first signing after he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013, was discussing suggestions that his manager had problems working with South Americans.
Varela, who has only featured twice in the Premier League this season, rejected the notion there were issues with Van Gaal because of his nationality, but did admit to some personal problems between the Dutchman and the squad.
Varela told Uruguayan newspaper La Ovacion: "There are rumours that he always has some kind of problem with South Americans. But to tell you the truth, I haven't had any for the moment.
"The things I've had to talk to him about have been clear and stayed at that. He has a bit of a difficult personality to deal with and sometimes it isn't easy for the players.
"That has been tough, because there are players who were accustomed to Ferguson. The truth is, we felt his departure a lot. There was a before and an after."
Ferguson stepped down as United boss in May 2013, bringing an end to his glittering 26-year reign at Old Trafford.
Former United striker Diego Forlan said last summer: "Louis van Gaal has never been a fan of South American players, as my good friend Juan Roman Riquelme will tell you from his time under the Dutchman at Barcelona."
Argentine Angel Di Maria, Colombian Radamel Falcao and Brazilian Rafael Da Silva all left United in the summer of 2015.
