Senior players at Manchester United have confronted manager Louis van Gaal over his training regime and his heavy-handed treatment of former full-back Rafael, according to reports.

After just three goals in four Premier League games, United players have apparently grown worried that Van Gaal's rigid style is stifling their creative flair and according to the Daily Mail, a group led by captain Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick voiced their concerns to the Dutchman.

The incident is believed to have happened a few weeks ago, with reported complaints being that the squad felt that they were being turned into "robots" and that they were wearing "straitjackets".

A report in The Independent claims that Van Gaal's decision to repeatedly overlook and then sell full-back Rafael this summer was seen as disrespectful to a long-serving player and a popular member of the dressing room.

Manchester United will look to return to winning ways as they host rivals Liverpool in Saturday's evening kickoff.