Erik ten Hag issues five new rules to Man Utd squad
By Tom Gott
New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is said to have laid out five new rules to his squad ahead of his first pre-season in charge.
Ten Hag joined from Ajax this summer and is already hard at work trying to improve a United side that will be playing Europa League football next season after picking up their lowest points total in the Premier League era.
A common problem for United last season were allegations of a dressing-room leak, with information on interim boss Ralf Rangnick and the squad regularly finding its way into the public eye. The Mirror state that Ten Hag has warned the players that their careers with the first team will be over if they are caught leaking information to the press.
Players have also been warned that they will be dropped if they are late for training, regardless of their standing in the dressing room.
Alcohol has also been banned during match weeks, with Ten Hag not allowing any excuses when it comes to players' physical conditions. He has overhauled the menu at the Carrington training ground to try and make it healthier.
Similarly, the boss is keen to have the same chef preparing meals for the entire squad, rather than players working with their own personal chefs.
Listen now to The Promised Land, 90min's Manchester United podcast! This week, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss the impending arrival of Christian Eriksen, the future of Cristiano Ronaldo and more.
Players have been handed their own personalised diet plans and will all have their Body Mass Index checked monthly to ensure they remain in peak physical condition.
Aware that his ideas may come across as strict, Ten Hag is also said to have urged players to approach him directly to discuss any concerns, rather than going to their agents first. He is keen to build positive relationships with those around him, while simultaneously establishing the high standards that he believe will take United back to the top.
He may, however, be embarking on that rebuilding journey without striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who is ready to leave this summer and is the subject of interest from Chelsea.