Erik ten Hag has launched a major crackdown on dressing-room leaks from within his Manchester United squad.
Newly-appointed United boss ten Hag has warned his players he will not tolerate any betrayals of confidence from within the supposed sanctuary of the dressing-room. Cliques and leaks undermined United last season, as they finished in sixth place, missing out on the Champions League with their worst points total of the Premier League era.
United embark on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia today, with Ten Hag having laid down a series of ground rules – with brutal consequences for those who fail to obey them. Players have been told they will be not play for ten Hag again if he finds any of them are leaking dressing-room secrets, which has been a problem for every United boss in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Ten Hag has also told his players they will be dropped if they are late, with the 52-year-old also having introduced a series of tougher rules regarding their diets and fitness levels the squad are expected to maintain.
United face arch rivals Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday, before flying to Australia to take on Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace in Melbourne, finishing the tour against Aston Villa in Perth.
Leaks became a substantial problem during Ralf Rangnick's time in charge of the club, having been a hangover from the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era. An investigation was reportedly launched by the United hierarchy in May to investigate the problem and make sure it won't blight next season, with the two people suspected of being the leakers said to have left in June.
Addressing that issue, Richard Arnold told fans in the lengthy discussion that "the two sources of the leaks have now left the club." He did not identify who the individuals were or the role they had in the dressing room but made it clear were confident they knew those responsible.
United have already seen six senior players - Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Lee Grant, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani - leave the club after their contracts expired. It is not confirmed that the leaker was any of those or another member of staff.
