Details of an email Erik ten Hag sent to his Man Utd stars have come to light, while a headless star has warned his teammates what to expect from the Dutchman, according to several reports.
Ten Hag is the man selected by the Man Utd hierarchy to lead its reconstruction. The summer window presents the first opportunity for Ten Hag to flex his muscles as head of United. The Dutchman has his job after several high-profile departures for Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard have already been confirmed.
There has been talk of the movements of Pau Torres or Jurrien Timber. Frenkie de Jong remains his main target in midfield, while Ten Hag has personally intervened in an attempt to hijack Liverpool’s move by Darwin Nunez.
In any case, at least in its first season, Ten Hag will have to deal with a large number of players left over from previous eras.
United’s time with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick was especially marked by persistent leaks from the dressing room. Reports of disharmony between the group also reached the media regularly.
However, the Sun claims to have been informed of Ten Hag’s first attempt to crack down on these earlier issues.
Ten Hag reportedly set the law on his new team in an email outlining his expectations.
Ten Hag will not tolerate big egos
A source told the Sun: “The new gaffer sent an email to the first team players, telling them that football is a team game and that no individual is more important than any other.
“His focus is on the team, even though Manchester United have world-class stars. He wants the players to train at a higher intensity so that every session is like a game.
“Players have been told that their level of fitness will be the best they have ever been and that if they stick to it and support it, they will be fine. If not, they will go out the door.
“They will be drilled and drilled until they do well. And if they can’t, it will replace them with some of the promising youngsters.”
One player who might be in line for the game will be awarded Donny Van de Beek. The Dutchman is well known to Ten Hag for his time together at Ajax.
So it’s surprising to see an Italian report stating that Van de Beek wants to go out.
The Corriere della Sera have stated that the midfielder is ready to leave Old Trafford and is trying to plan a move to Rome.
If this report (broadcast through the mirror) is completely accurate, only time will tell. Regardless, the source of the Sun that shed light on Ten Hag’s email also conveyed Van de Beek’s vision of working under Ten Hag.
They claimed that Van de Beek has warned his teammates that they will be fired without hesitation if Ten Hag has any idea they are being disloyal. This would suggest that the culture of leaks is being addressed and talking to the media through later channels.
Van de Beek has concluded that Ten Hag will support his players to the fullest, although he will only support them if they show the same level of professionalism and respect.
Dutch should be given time
The first signs of Ten Hag’s reign look promising. Veteran stars who never cut mustard at Old Trafford have moved like Juan Mata and Paul Pogba.
Club culture had to be addressed and Ten Hag wasted little time working on it. Reports leaked to the media of discontent in Man City and Liverpool, for example, were far less abundant than at United in recent times.
The Sun noted that Ten Hag plans to instill Sir Alex Ferguson-style discipline at the club. This may be necessary for many of the club’s top incomes whose levels dropped last season.
However, despite the positive signs, United will still face a tough fight to get to the top four next season.
If they don’t get the Champions League football, United shouldn’t panic if they are convinced that Ten Hag is the right man for the job.