Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney praises 'very approachable' Louis van Gaal

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has claimed manager Louis van Gaal "is 100% serious" when it comes to football but at the same time is "very approachable" to players.

The Dutch boss may sometimes look distant when he speaks during press conferences but the United striker said van Gaal is the total opposite in the dressing room.

"He's very approachable and always says to his players: 'If you ever want to talk about anything, whether it's about football or other things, the door is always open to you'," Rooney said to MUTV.

"You can speak to him. He is 100% serious when it comes to training and games but, if you're speaking to him about things other than football, he's a genuinely nice guy."

The captain has also lavished praise on the Dutch manager for restoring the winning mentality in the squad after the disappointing last season under David Moyes, when the Premier League giants not only failed to win any silverware, they also failed to qualify for the Champions League.

"In terms of training sessions, every session means something," added the captain. "Even if it's a little game, he wants the team who he is working with to win. He's not happy if we don't win. So his determination and will to win is incredible.

"I've seen it in other people but more on match day in terms of games. But he's on it every day and that certainly does rub off on the players."

Even though van Gaal had a difficult start to life at Old Trafford, with questions raised about results under his leadership as well as regarding his 'boring' style, the Premier League giants are finally starting to shine. They won two games before the international game with impressive performances against Tottenham and at Liverpool.