He is the IT expert Louis van Gaal has described as 'like my son', but the elevation of Max Reckers would appear to be causing friction within the Manchester United family.

As reported on Thursday, senior duo Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick voiced their concerns to their Dutch manager over his training methods.

A large part of their frustration is thought to be down to the amount of time spent in meetings pouring over video analysis.

Max Reckers conducts research before passing on information to Louis van Gaal and his coaching staff

Manchester United's stars are growing tired of being shown their weaknesses by Reckers

Reckers (far left) poses with fellow coaches Frans Hoek, Albert Stuivenberg, Van Gaal, Ryan Giggs and Marcel Bout (left to right) during Manchester United's US tour in 2014

Van Gaal likens Manchester United computer guru Reckers to a son due to the pair's close relationship

Reckers, who arrived last summer, is the club's performance analyst and the increasing importance placed on his role is thought to have caused some irritation.

A perceived tendency to concentrate on weaknesses rather than strengths is not thought to have helped matters along with forensic examinations of each player's positioning.

In an earlier interview, Van Gaal heaped praise on his compatriot.

'I can't forget my computer guru,' he said. 'It's unbelievable because he's not only my computer guru, he's like my son. But he's not called Van Gaal, his name is Max Reckers and he is a performance analyst.

'He collects all the data that we need. We have a lot of data because at Manchester United there was already a philosophy that you have to measure everything and it's called the sport science department. It's unbelievable what kind of data they have and I'm very pleased that kind of support is already arranged in Manchester.

'They have supported us very well, not only in sport science but also the medical department and the kit men. It's unbelievable what organisation you have to make for such a big group at such a big club.'

Reckers analyses players' performances in training and matches - but mainly picks out the bad points

United and England captain Wayne Rooney is understood to have approached Van Gaal earlier this season

The Manchester United manager is known to be very inflexible with his approach, upsetting his senior stars

On United's website, Reckers describes his role as trying to 'come closer to the look and feel of the player ... by analysing the game from the player’s viewpoint'.

'We keep innovating,' he adds. 'Meaning that we demand that the players improve themselves every day and the same goes for the staff.

'We are always looking for new technologies and new ways to improve player performance. For us, it’s not doing science or having the technology; it’s just wanting to improve as a group.'

No changes are thought to have been made to Van Gaal's methods since captain Rooney and vice captain Carrick raised the issues.

Training sessions that mirror kick-off times, a Van Gaal introduction, are also thought to have been met with dismay by some squad members who have young children.

United, who take on Liverpool in the late kick-off at Old Trafford on Saturday, are currently in sixth place having scored three goals in their first four matches. They have conceded twice.

Van Gaal's first team players claim they feel like they are wearing 'straitjackets' under his tenure

The Old Trafford boss has not adjusted his approach so far, despite complaints from his senior players

Van Gaal has a history of falling out with his players, and the atmosphere at the club has deteriorated