Louis van Gaal admitted the breakdown of his relationship with Victor Valdes helped cause the flat atmosphere in the Manchester United dressing room, but added he's a communicator, not a dictator with his players.
The Dutch boss also insisted that his players like his gameplan as he launched a defence of his meetings culture by saying they are vital in a multimillion-pound modern businesses like football.
Van Gaal rejected reports of unrest among his players but said that Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, United's captain and vice-captain respectively, came to him with their concerns about the mood in the camp.
The Dutchman accepted that sales of some of United's popular players was one reason for unrest. Uncertainty over the future of David De Gea, who Van Gaal had omitted from the squad because of concerns about his state of mind amid interest from Real Madrid, was another issue for the team. De Gea signed a new contract on Friday.
Van Gaal also put goalkeeper Valdes up for sale after alleging he refused to play for United's reserves and he did not take the former Barcelona player on the pre-season tour and opted not to give him a squad number.
The 64-year-old said in a news conference that United's lack of spirit was because: "Friends are going away, we have problems with Valdes, and we have problems with De Gea, which has a great influence on the dressing room. That is why it is flat."
Van Gaal dismissed suggestions he is an autocrat and said his players are consulted about his tactics.
While United have been criticised for ponderous football and a lack of goals, he insisted they like his strategy
"I have changed that I say the gameplan to them, for example," Van Gaal said. "Now I ask in advance and they can say what they want, but most of the strategy is always the same, because they like the way we have done it.
"They are coming to my office, believe me, it is like it is. I am not a dictator, I am a communicator, and I have said that in advance."
Van Gaal accepted United have a lot of meetings but believes they are vital if they are to get the results they require.
"We have a lot of meetings, yes, that is the philosophy," he said. "You have to make an analysis of the opponent and you need a meeting to show that. Then you have to make a game plan and hold a meeting about the game plan, then you have to practice.
"Then we have to discuss with the players on the pitch how they feel and maybe we have to change. If they have good arguments then we have to change and we play the match.
"Then we have to see how they play and I have to say something at half-time. Then I might have to change and afterwards we have an evaluation and another meeting.
"When you have professional behaviour, that is a lot of meetings. We are working at the most commercial club of the world, so we have also a lot of commercial activities, but it is still better than every other job.
"It is still better, because as a player you can work as your hobby, only you have to change your attitude, your professional attitude. Do you want to change something in that process? Then you have to have fantastic arguments and they are agreed on that."