New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly laid down the rules he wants his team to observe to help them compete for the biggest titles next season.
The Dutchman is trying to transform Manchester United after a dismal season that saw them finish in sixth position in the Premier League. Ten Hag is known for his attacking game at Ajax and since his arrival, he has vowed to bring back the attacking football that made the likes of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson so successful at Old Trafford.
To achieve that goal, he has listed a list of footballing rules and has already made his stance clear on what he is expecting from his players.
According to The Sun, the 52-year-old met his players for the first time on Monday and is planning on transforming the philosophy of the club with strict instructions and regulations for his team.
He reportedly informed them that:
He will not tolerate sideways and backwards passing, and, in training, will substitute players that don’t pass forwards.
Dressing-room cliques from last season are to be no more
Training performances will be the criteria for team selection and not medal hauls and salary.
Young players will replace senior players if they impress in training.
Players must improve their fitness and eradicate ‘unacceptable’ body language.
Last season, some senior players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were publicly critical of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactical ability and so Ten Hag has moved to ensure that under his leadership, such public outbursts do not occur. He is also looking to cut out the poor body language and constantly complaining on the pitch with which senior players at the Old Trafford side were known for last season.
Although several international players are not due back until Monday, around 15 players have been in training at Carrington.
Those involved have reportedly been impressed with the former Ajax manager’s methods and the level of detail involved in his sessions.
