Is Manchester United's performance analyst the reason for the players' unhappiness?

Max Reckers (far left) is thought to be the reason behind the players’ unhappiness

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has a reputation for falling out with many high-profile players. His intractable, unyielding and over the top hard-line approach to training methods and tactics has caused some level of friction at every club he has managed in his career.

Amid reports that some senior United players have been voicing their concerns over the rigidity of van Gaal’s training methods in the past week, it is believed that United’s performance analyst Max Reckers, whom Van Gaal described as ‘like my son’, is one of the main reasons for distress in United’s ranks.

Reckers joined the club last year and a greater part of the frustration among players, lies with the amount of time spent going through video analysis every day. Reckers has seen himself elevated to a much higher level in the coaching hierarchy and this has been causing agitation among the players.

The fact that Reckers focuses on the players’ weakness rather than their strengths has not gone down well with the squad and a detailed look at each player’s positioning has not made it any easier. The players are believed to have been frustrated by the lack of creativity and fluidity in training. However, Van Gaal sees his compatriot as an indispensible asset to his staff.

Van Gaal rates Reckers very highly

“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,” van Gaal added.

“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.”

Max Reckers’work is considered an integral part of his staff by Van Gaal

Reckers spoke about his role as trying to 'come closer to the look and feel of the player ... by analysing the game from the player’s viewpoint'. He said, “We keep innovating, 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.”

The club will look to show that all these reports have not affected them as they take on fierce rivals Liverpool this weekend. Having suffered a defeat in their previous game against Swansea, they would want to get back to winning ways.