Louis van Gaal considered using virtual reality to help players improve during his time with Manchester United.

Van Gaal's training methods were reportedly questioned by a group of United players during his time as manager, and performance analyst Max Reckers has explained the coaching staff were ready to explore different techniques to engage the squad.

"Louis is very open to new technology. He's a very forward-thinking manager," Reckers -- who was described as a "computer guru" and "like my son" by Van Gaal in 2014 -- is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying at the Soccerex Global Convention.

"The task for the club and coach is to facilitate that to an optimum level. My generation is the last generation with video.

"Everyone younger knows iPads, virtual reality, FIFA ... so we have to accept they don't watch TV the way we did. I watched a game for 90 minutes; there's not a single player who does that anymore. We have to adapt.

"The ones who are good FIFA players have a small advantage with the virtual reality. It's not so much about them being old or young, but the type of personality I think. Some really like to observe themselves, others don't.

"I didn't want to be the guy who puts in new technology without the right purpose. You have to change to the situation and your players. United have everything, specialists everywhere."