As Manchester United' s players prepare to return to training ahead of the new season, they will be quick to remember Erik ten Hag's take-no-prisoners approach to bad behaviour.
The Dutch boss took over ahead of the 2022-23 season, having signed off at Ajax with an Eredivisie title win. While his first two games in charge at Old Trafford brought defeats, Ten Hag led the club to a third-place finish in the Premier League and victory in the Carabao Cup final.
He has also been unafraid to upset senior figures, whether that means dropping the likes of captain Harry Maguire or allowing others to leave Old Trafford altogether. There have also been smaller changes, though, including the decision to drop a player for tardiness during the 2022 pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.
United kicked off Ten Hag's first pre-season tour with victory over Liverpool in Thailand. They then played three games in Australia, beating Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace before drawing with Aston Villa.
As reported by The Athletic at the time, an unnamed player showed up late for two separate team meetings during the tour. Ten Hag had reportedly planned to use the individual in an upcoming game but instead punished the player by leaving him out.
Those members of the squad who were involved last summer will now know what to expect from Ten Hag. United's first pre-season match sees them take on Leeds United in Norway on July 12, with further matches to follow in Scotland, Ireland and the United States.
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Ten Hag and his coaching staff are expected to make an early start to this summer's preparations for the season ahead. According to The Sun, club staff have been told to have facilities at the Carrington training ground ready for the first week of July, as the discipline instilled last summer remains in place.
Fitness training for non-international members of the squad is expected to begin on July 3, one month after United's FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Those who represented their countries during the international break will be expected back a little later, though.
A number of United players represented England during the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia in early June, with Marcus Rashford on the scoresheet in the second game. Midfielder Scott McTominay was also among the goals, scoring Scotland's second as they beat Georgia at Hampden Park.
Ten Hag's side have also discovered their Premier League fixture schedule, with the new season due to get underway. United begin with a home game against Wolves in mid-August, with 'Big Six' opponents Tottenham and Arsenal to follow in the first two away fixtures of the season.
