The Dutchman has rejected the England striker's assertion that the Red Devils are playing with more freedom now and believes that confidence has been the key to the turnaround
Louis van Gaal has dismissed Wayne Rooney's suggestion that Manchester United's improvement has been down to playing with more freedom, insisting that confidence has been the main factor.
United have recovered from being beaten at home by Southampton on January 23, when Van Gaal and his players were roundly booed as they left the pitch at full-time, to record two wins on the bounce.
The Red Devils will be aiming to make it three when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but their Dutch coach does not agree that his side are now playing with more freedom, as had been suggested by Rooney after the FA Cup win over Derby County.
He told reporters: "I'm not agreeing with the remark of Wayne Rooney when he said that. It's only because they have more confidence. It is especially so with Wayne Rooney, who is saying that because he has scored seven goals in a row.
"Then he can say that he is playing with more freedom, because he has more confidence. But you want to write that it's because he gets another training session in another style or because Louis van Gaal gives more freedom? No, it's still the same.
"We train still the same, in the same way. It's not because of a change of attitude from Mr Louis van Gaal or another way of training. No, I'm sorry to say that.
"We are always working hard and very professionally in the philosophy of Louis van Gaal. That is also the same for Jesse Lingard."
- Goal