Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal stands by criticising new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger during a tour match in the US.

Schweinsteiger's form in pre-season has been underwhelming and the manager hasn't pretended otherwise, describing one performance as "bad".

Explaining why he'd gone public with criticism of a big name, Van Gaal said: "We have to play like a team. Like everyone else, the stars, so-called stars, have to know what is expected of them. What Schweinsteiger has won, that is in the past. Top sport is only about what is in the present. You have to prove yourself every time.

"I don't treat players any differently if they are big names or if they are young. I look at the characteristic of the player first, then I can decide my approach towards that player.

"The first six months last season were very difficult for the players, they weren't doing things as I wanted. So I gave a lot of criticism and it was difficult to accept for them because I don't think managers were doing that to the same amount.

"I communicate everything so the players know everything from me first, even transfers. After that I tell the media. There is not much difference to what I tell the players to what I tell the media and that is sometimes a problem as I say too much!"