EXCLUSIVE: Erik ten Hag issues five strict rules to Man Utd players as micro-management era begins
Erik ten Hag has arrived at Manchester United with the goal of changing the culture and restoring Premier League and Champions League success to Old Trafford – and the Dutchman has set his ground rules.
Erik ten Hag has issued a set of stringent instructions to his Manchester United players ahead of the new season.
United depart on a two-and-a-half-week tour of Thailand and Australia on Friday, with new manager ten Hag warning his players that they will pay a high price if they disobey. Ten Hag, famed for his careful approach and micromanagement of his players, has laid out a set of ground rules for United’s players to observe.
The Dutch coach, an arch disciplinarian in the mold of famous former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has sought to exert immediate control by bringing his team into line. United finished sixth in the Premier League last season, with their lowest points total in the league’s history, after dressing-room leaks and cliques inside the squad caused the campaign to disintegrate.
Ten Hag has attempted to address those off-field concerns, as well as United’s on-field issues, by instituting a number of tough measures to restore unity and discipline to the Old Trafford club. Ten Hag has warned United’s players that they will be exiled if he discovers any of them leaking dressing-room secrets, which has been a problem for every manager since Ferguson.
The 52-year-old Dutchman has also warned United’s players that they will be dropped if they are late for training or team meetings, regardless of their reputation.
United’s players have also been told that they are not permitted to consume alcohol during match weeks in order to perform at their best.
Ten Hag is known to prefer that the same chefs prepare meals for United’s players rather than them hiring their own personal catering staff. United’s newly appointed manager has also revamped the cuisine at the club’s Carrington training base, with fish and vegetables figuring prominently.
Each United player has a personalized food plan and will have their Body Mass Index (BMI) evaluated monthly to ensure they are in good form.
Despite his harsh attitude on so many issues, ten Hag has also instructed his players to come to him instead of their agents if they have any concerns.
The former Ajax manager hopes to build strong bonds with United’s players, believing that mutual trust and respect are essential components of any successful squad.
United will go to Thailand on Friday to begin their summer tour, where they will face Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday.
They then head to Australia, where they will face Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace in Melbourne before concluding the campaign against Aston Villa in Perth.
