The following example certainly illustrates how a world-class player can become frustrated and alienated in the conditions which Van Gaal imposes upon his personnel. Known for his outlandish comments and perceived arrogance, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is man a who became disillusioned with life under the current Man United boss and shows no signs of forgiving his former superior. In a revealing interview with Sports Illustrated, the Swedish international was highly critical of the Dutchman's treatment of his players, which perhaps could be seen to link back to Van Gaal's days as a P.E teacher. "He's the boss and everybody else can, how do you say - they're soldiers. I mean, you have to have a little bit of feeling in the whole thing. Many big stars have problems with him because of the way he is. "And I understand it, but when you come to a team with 22 big stars, that's what you treat them like? Like small boys?" Zlatan arguably isn't the best barometer of criticism, or indeed of reality at the best of times, but his criticism does at least offer an insight into how a superstar, self-anointed galactico would view Van Gaal's methods.
