Ten Hag offers damning assessment of Man Utd’s ‘standards’ before he arrived

Erik ten Hag has revealed the standards at Manchester United were “not right” when he first arrived.

The Dutchman took over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick in the summer of 2022. He has since run a tight ship at Carrington, with his strict rules and no-nonsense demeanour leading United to a third-placed league finish and their first trophy since 2017.

Ten Hag implemented 'five commandments' upon arrival which must be obeyed by all players, including a ban on alcohol, personal chefs and regular body mass index checks.

And the 53-year-old, whose side are set to play the final game of their USA pre-season tour, has not shied away from talking about the dire habits of United’s players when he joined the club.

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Speaking to The National News, Ten Hag said: “For all the players, you have to live the right life. Professional football is tough, so in general our players can’t match the sensational life playing top football.

"Top football is tough nowadays, 60 games a year in club football, 10 international games. Seventy games means that every third or fourth day you have to match the highest physical levels.

“When you’re not living the right life, you get killed. What is important? Sleep, recovery, nutrition. Three key areas and when you don’t do this right, you have a problem. You can’t perform. You will not reach the levels when you don’t do the things right.

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“I think in general when I came in at Man United the standards were not right. That’s true. 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 football player, so at Man United we are demanding the highest standards.”

Ten Hag has repeatedly sought to drive the right mentality home with his players and cited a shift in attitude as the reason behind Marcus Rashford’s incredible form last season, after the forward netted 30 goals in all competitions.

The manager said: “His attitude and mentality is what is bringing him a lot of progress and brings the team a lot of joy. I knew his skills. You also bring staff in around him who can make him better and progress.”

Ten Hag’s criticism of the Red Devils’ standards may come as a surprise, however, given predecessor Rangnick made it his mission to restore order.

The German sought to improve the fitness of his players by implementing a ban on bacon butties, burgers, pizzas, red meat, cakes, alcohol and fizzy drinks, according to The Sun.

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