Southampton boss Ronald Koeman: 'Louis van Gaal's players fear him'

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has criticised Louis van Gaal's style of management by claiming that he 'causes clashes' with his players because he "thinks he knows everything".

Koeman worked as Van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona around 16 years ago and the pair eventually fell out over a dispute.

Now, the duo are managing in the Premier League, but Koeman has suggested that Van Gaal's approach could cause problems in the Manchester United camp.

"When you bring Van Gaal in the house, you bring in quality, but you also bring in someone who thinks he knows everything, and that will cause clashes," The Mirror quotes Koeman as saying. "There is a big difference between him and and me as managers. I was his assistant at Barcelona after the World Cup in 1998.

"I learned a lot of things from him, but the way he handles his players is totally different from the way I work. I don't put as much pressure on the shoulder of players.

"When you have Van Gaal in charge, it is a fact that there is fear in his team. The players have a fear for Mr Van Gaal. That is not always good."

Just one point separates the two clubs in the league table, with United fourth and Southampton fifth.