Erik ten Hag has barely been through the door at Old Trafford five minutes but is already developing a reputation as a hard taskmaster.
The disciplined Dutchman has come down hard on Manchester United's players, from banning alcohol on match weeks, implementing strict time-keeping rules including fines for those who fall foul, as well as press ups in training for conceding a goal.
Ten Hag has also been seen regularly barking orders at his troops during open training sessions on the club's pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, where they have so far collected three wins in as many matches - including a 4-0 drubbing of rivals Liverpool.
Now latest footage has captured Ten Hag giving both barrels to United youngster Zidane Iqbal, who is among the academy contingent to have joined United's tour. During a possession-based training exercise, Iqbal gave the ball away to the opposition, drawing a fierce rebuke from his manager.
"Keep the ball on the floor… Zidane! Hey!" Ten Hag shouted. "Keep the ball! F***ing rubbish!”
Iqbal is not the first player to come under fire during sessions, after Jadon Sancho was given a dressing down in training earlier in the tour. Ten Hag was also visibly frustrated with United's players during another set of footage as he further stressed his orders during a keep-ball exercise.
David de Gea was also on the end of a furious outburst from Ten Hag who was angry with the goalkeeper's decision to punt the ball long during the friendly with Crystal Palace. “David! What the f*** are you doing?” Ten Hag berated from the touchline.
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While Ten Hag is pulling no punches around his players, midfielder Bruno Fernandes said his new hardline approach is a breathe of fresh air. “We missed that for a while and discipline is important," Fernandes said. "Discipline is not only the way you play, the position that you have, what you have to do, it’s also off the pitch.
"Don’t be late for the meetings, don’t be late for the meals. That’s really important because if everyone is on time and someone comes late, he should be punished. That’s really good that he’s doing that and amazing, because I like to be on time, so I won’t have problems with that.”
While Iqbal is the latest player on the receiving end of Ten Hag's demands, the youngster has impressed the United boss so far in pre-season and has been given some encouragement that he could force his way into first team plans.
Discussing Iqbal and fellow United academy midfielder Charlie Savage, Ten Hag said: "Those players have high potential, and when we construct a team, and they take the responsibility for their fitness, I am sure they will perform, and we will get the right results.
"I think it's always a matter of developing. That's with experienced players and with younger players. I am a coach, I am not afraid, if players are good enough and are old enough, I will play them.
"We set a high standard, and values, and the team respond to it. We are happy with that."
