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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Man Utd providing players with '5-star meals on wheels' amid strict Erik ten Hag rules

Life under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United was always bound to involve plenty of changes.

Already the training drills laid on by the Dutchman have been identified for their focus on possession-based football. And another big change appears to have occurred in the club's canteen.

Ten Hag has revamped the food offerings to United's squad with five-star meals aimed at ensuring the players stay as lean as possible. Club chefs have the food specially cooked and then delivered directly to players' plush houses.

Other changes implemented by the former Ajax chief include a ban on drinking alcohol in the build up to games. Players have been told they are not allowed to drink during match weeks, to ensure they are in peak condition when it comes to playing.

The 52-year-old has also imposed a strict ban on mobile phone usage at meal times at the Carrington training ground. He wants players to eat together during training as he attempts to try and foster a strong bond between the group.

Additionally, United advertised for a first team head chef last month as the new manager looks to revamp the club's approach on and off the field.

A source told the Sun: “The facilities at Carrington are now more like a Michelin-starred restaurant as opposed to an old-fashioned canteen. There is even a steak room. The players need to stick to their diets so the chefs are happy to make meals and get them delivered to any player that wants them. Some are young, live alone and are much more confident on the pitch than in the kitchen."

Where will United finish in Ten Hag's first season in charge? Let us know in the comments section

Ten Hag has also told United's players they will be dropped if they are late for training or team meetings, no matter who they are, with reputations counting for little.

He is attempting to restore the club to a major force in English football once more after a hugely underwhelming sixth-placed finish last season - their lowest-ever points return in the Premier League era.

This season marks ten years since United's last title win, achieved in Sir Alex Ferguson's final campaign as a manager. Since then United have endured a trophy drought with just three major honours: Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup. The best they have mustered in the league in that time is two second-placed finishes, ending up 19 and 12 points shy of eventual winners Man City respectively.

Ten Hag has already added Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez to his squad but is eager for more arrivals ahead of the season opener at home to Brighton on August 7.

"I know this season is a lot of games," said the Dutchman. "The World Cup, - so we need more options where you have a good team. And it’s not only about the team, you need a good squad to get the right results at the end of the season. So we have to strengthen the squad even more and we are looking around, but also we need the right players.”

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