After a productive pre-season, the Red Devils began their 2014/15 league campaign with a loss to Swansea, far from the result that many of the Old Trafford faithful had been expecting.
In the wake of the loss many have expressed reservations about the direction that United are heading in, much to van Gaal’s displeasure.
“Two weeks ago, I was the king of Manchester and now I am the devil of Manchester. It is the football world and it is especially the media in this football world so I think that the fans of Manchester are intelligent,” said the Dutchman.
“I have already said that it shall be difficult the first three months for the players, especially, but also for the fans and I said that also to [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward and [owners] the Glazer family that it is always like that. They have hired me because of my philosophy, not because I am a very nice person – I am but it is my philosophy I have.
“I am not hired to be fired. I am hired to build up a team and that is a process and that process takes time. I bring another philosophy to the club and that is difficult because I have to give a lot of information. Now we are in a process of a lot of information.
“For example, I have to drive on the left side and I have to pay a lot of attention to drive properly. It costs me a lot of energy. This player [new signing Marcos Rojo] also, he comes from abroad and doesn’t speak any words of English. What does that mean? He has to adapt to a new culture, new philosophy. It takes time. It is not so easy. It takes time, also for Marcos and the other players.
“You have to believe in it. Maybe my curriculum [vitae] can convince them. Otherwise, OK , I am hired to be fired. You have to believe in the philosophy and we make again a big club. But it takes time. It is not an overnight job.”
United will look to get their season back on track when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Sunday.
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