The Frenchman made his comeback from an ankle injury recently in a specially-arranged friendly match against Unterhaching, but the Dutch coach was not happy with his commitment and said he "didn't make an effort".

That has not gone down well with the midfielder, who said he "learnt of it in the press" and was "very disappointed".

"It would have been better if he had said it direct to my face," added Ribery.

The 27-year-old is due to make his first start since September in tonight's Champions League clash with Roma, a game in which Van Gaal intends to use those players who have been injured recently and are on the road to recovery.

Ribery is hoping to play the full 90 minutes.

"If I only play 25 or 30 minutes, then I will never get 100% back to my best level," the former Marseille man said.

"I have got to play a full game."

However, he knows that his plea could fall on deaf ears since Van Gaal is not so easy to get along with, according to the Frenchman.

He said "I cannot say that I have much fun with him or that I have a special relationship with him.

"I do my job and he does his. I give it my best, do everything to get fit again, but when the coach always speaks badly about you, when he keeps on putting you down, then it is tough.

"I need his help. I have got to be able to talk with him and have fun with him.

"If I cannot do that, then it cannot work on the pitch either.

"However, I do get the feeling that he likes me. I would just like to have more contact with him and that there would be a bit more respect between us."