July 31, (THEWILL) – Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has openly admitted that “standards were not right” upon his arrival at Old Trafford last summer.
Taking charge of a team that had recently experienced their lowest-ever English Premier League points tally and conceded the most goals in a single campaign since 1979, Ten Hag recognised the need for a new culture within the squad.
“I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery, and nutrition because that makes the difference if you can perform every third or fourth day. That is the demand for every top player, so at Man United, we are demanding the highest standards,” Ten Hag explained in a recent interview, reflecting on his approach to transforming the team.
This strict adherence to the highest standards became evident when star forward, Marcus Rashford, was disciplined for arriving late to a team meeting in December. As a result, Ten Hag dropped him from the starting lineup for a game against Wolves on New Year’s Eve. Despite Rashford’s immediate understanding of the decision, he was disappointed not to play but recognised the importance of upholding team rules.
Ten Hag’s focus on maintaining the highest standards in all aspects of the players’ lives has been a significant driving force behind the cultural shift at United. The manager’s approach seeks to create an environment where consistent top-level performance is the norm, and the team’s commitment to this ethos will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in their future success.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
