Manchester United defender Guillermo Varela says Louis van Gaal has a 'difficult personality'

Manchester United fullback Guillermo Varela has admitted that manager Louis van Gaal has "a difficult personality". The 22-year-old Uruguayan, who was linked with a loan move to Genoa during the January transfer window, confessed that van Gaal can be tough to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Critics of the manager claim he does not enjoy working with players from South America, having fallen out with the likes of Rivaldo previously in his career. But Varela has denied having any issues with his straight-talking Dutch boss. "The rumours say there is always some kind of problem with the South Americans," Varela explained, according to Ovacion. "If I tell you the truth, I have had none. When we've had to talk it has been clear and stayed at that. He has a difficult personality. Sometimes it is not so easy for the players."

But in a separate recent interview, the fullback admitted he was disappointed that he was not allowed to leave United on loan during the January transfer window. "At my age, it's so important to play more minutes. But I'm also aware that it's important and a good thing if your coach wants you to stay and counts on me," he said, as quoted by El Pais.

United decided to keep the youngster because of their ongoing injury issues in the full-back positions, with Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young among the players still on the sidelines. In their absence, the likes of Varela and teenage star Cameron Borthwick-Jackson have been introduced into the first-team frame.