Juan Mata reveals Louis van Gaal is ordering players to speak English

It hasn't taken long for Louis van Gaal to stamp his mark at Old Trafford.

Since taking over as Manchester United's manager earlier this month, van Gaal has already implemented the 3-4-3 formation involving two wing-backs that he deployed with the Netherlands at the World Cup. And now, it seems that the Dutch manager is also telling his players what language they must speak on the pitch.

"We speak in English," Juan Mata told BBC Sport. "The manager says we have to speak in English."

Man Utd's current squad features players from 14 different national teams, so van Gaal's insistence on speaking English obviously affects how they communicate with one another. Mata, for example, has already struck up a friendship with fellow Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera, and the pair are now unable to speak in their native language on the pitch.

But Mata has no qualms over what van Gaal is bringing to Man United and has been impressed by his new manager over the past few weeks.

"He is very honest," Mata said. "He is straight as he speaks to everyone to their face. That is the perfect way to do it."