Erik ten Hag is trying to build a positive dressing room spirit at Manchester United in pre-season in an attempt to minimise the "leaks" from inside the squad.
The Dutchman was reportedly briefed about the issues at Old Trafford, including how leaks managed to surface in the press and public eye on a number of occasions last season. This happened under both former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Interim Manager Ralf Rangnick, who seemingly failed to get a hold on the issue when he took charge.
One of the main leaks was when it was suggested Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to take the armband off Harry Maguire and that players such as Eric Bailly did not understand how the United skipper was getting consistent game time despite his dismal form. The Red Devils chose to stick with Maguire for the rest of the season and there has been no indication about whether he will continue in that role next term.
Paul Scholes also revealed Jesse Lingard told him the changing room was a "disaster", while many other reports claimed the mood inside the camp was a 'negative' one. This did not help the Red Devils' results on the pitch as United ended up finishing sixth with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally (58).
However, Ten Hag is aiming to make three major changes this summer and wants one of them to be improving the dressing room sprit. According to ESPN, the players will be encouraged to be more open in interviews next season but have been told that disagreements between individuals should be handled in-house and not publicised. They have also been informed not to mention private messages to family members or agents.
Where will Manchester United finish next season? Let us know in the comments below!
Steve McClaren, who was recently appointed as Ten Hag's assistant, is to act as a bridge between players' and management over any issues that need to be addressed. This is to try and avoid any of the leaks that occurred where players would often share the information elsewhere and in the public eye, rather than raising it in-house.
Ten Hag took charge of his first session earlier this week and the players were supposedly 'impressed' with what they saw from the former Ajax boss. United face Liverpool in their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 12 before facing Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano before they kick-start their Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.
It is poised to be an exciting campaign under new management at the Red Devils, although they have yet to make a summer signing. Frenkie de Jong, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen have all been heavily linked with a move to the club in the transfer window but nothing has been confirmed.
