Erik ten Hag continues to get his message across at Manchester United as he makes it clear what he expects of his players.
The Dutchman arrived this summer from Ajax - tasked with changing the culture at Old Trafford and giving the team an identity following a poor campaign that saw the Red Devils finish in sixth amid consistent rumours of infighting. Ten Hag must root out such issues and has wasted no time.
The new rules being imposed at Carrington address everything from attitudes to training performances. Firstly, the new boss wants to see his players play progressive football, urging them to pass forward when in possession. Backwards or sideways passes are not tolerate and those who do so are being subbed off in training, claims The Sun.
And with a new environment awaiting them, big-name stars such as Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane returned to Carrington for the first time under Ten Hag on Monday. They were granted extra time off after international duty, as was Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not present amid rumours he wants to leave.
A source said: “There has been a lot of attention on one- and two-touch passing drills where players must try to go forward. If they go sideways or backwards too often he stops the game and the player is taken off for a minute or two.”
Ten Hag has also demanded that United's squad improve on their fitness, citing it as a concern. Negative body language will not be allowed - something that was rife last term. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were often seen gesturing to teammates in frustration or anger.
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United struggled last term with team dynamics, especially during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's period in charge, when it became clear the former boss had his favourites. Now though Ten Hag has made it clear he will not accept any dressing room cliques, calling for the group to be a collective.
The new man in the dugout is also prepared to back youth. Having come from Ajax, a club whose academy is world renowned, Ten Hag has consistently given young players a chance and is prepared to do so once more - at the cost of more senior players. He's already raised questions as to why Zidane Iqbal has not been utilised more often after seeing the teenager close up.
A source explained: “A lot of the younger players have been in the training sessions, too. He has been impressed with Ibqal and wonders why he has not featured more. Ten Hag is trying to tell the senior players that their positions are up for grabs, too. If they work hard, the players willing to carry out his instructions will take the first-team spots. Everyone has stepped up their game and it’s creating healthy competition.”
Ten Hag has also made it clear that medal hauls, salaries and prior reputations will count for nothing going forward and all his selection decisions will be made based on what the new boss sees on the training ground.
