Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has questioned Louis van Gaal's management of Manchester United's squad.

Koeman did not hold back in his brutal assessment of Van Gaal's management style.

"When you bring Van Gaal in the house, you bring in quality," said the Saints boss. "But you also bring in someone who thinks he knows everything. And that will cause clashes.

"There is a big difference between him 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 mister Van Gaal. That is not always good."

Koeman believes Van Gaal's hard-line approach can only last so long and United will have to appoint a coach with a less abrasive style one his tenure comes to an end.

"After Van Gaal coached the Dutch national team at the World Cup, the Dutch federation had to decide to bring in a manager who would bring in a soft touch," said Koeman.

"The players needed an arm around their shoulder. A manager who is calmer than Van Gaal.''