There is little doubting who is in charge now at Manchester United. If this was a squad in a state of flux during the era of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, then Erik ten Hag has reinstated the power of the manager at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman has made his position clear when it comes to standards and discipline since taking over and no matter the status of the miscreant, he has treated those who have crossed the line the same.
Alejandro Garnacho was rebuked during pre-season and kept out of action on the tour for being late, Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended for refusing to come on as a substitute and, most recently, Marcus Rashford was dropped from the starting XI for oversleeping and missing a team meeting.
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Ten Hag has quickly established his own authority at United, winning 20 of his first 27 games in charge, and his hardline stance when it comes to discipline has been part of that process.
The Dutchman established a leadership group in the summer which included goalkeeper Tom Heaton. The 36-year-old made his first start for the club in the Carabao Cup win against Charlton on Tuesday and while he admits Ten Hag's approach hasn't gone down well with everyone, he attributes it as partly responsible for the stunning upturn in results.
"Everyone has a different view on it, that would be fair. My personal view is that I think that really does make a difference," he said.
"When there is a consequence to players, a discipline, you know not to cross the line, if you do you’ll be out. I think Marcus’s response in that game [vs Wolves] was absolutely incredible. That’s the sort of thing it generates when it’s all moving in that direction. So for me yes it does translate to the pitch.
"He has brought clear messaging, clear lines of what’s acceptable and what’s not. Responsibility on everyone, the professional side of it, and when you cross it he’s there to put you back in your place.
"When results are improving and everything is moving forward a little bit more, everyone is on the bandwagon and pushing for that and wanting that. So that’s been a key feature, his strength in what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable and carrying that through."
Heaton was one of the "five or six" players involved in the leadership group established by Ten Hag in the summer, although it has become a more peripheral influence since the 52-year-old got his feet under the desk and established his own ascendancy within the dressing room.
The goalkeeper, who was making his United debut 20 years after winning the Youth Cup with the club, described Ten Hag as "very, very direct, you know where you stand and what your responsibilities are."
He has been frustrated not to play more often, especially in the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Burnley, but he is relishing his more impactful role off the field.
Heaton captained Burnley in the Premier League and has won three England caps, so he has plenty of experience to pass on in the dressing room and he's more than happy to be an influence if he can be.
"There are some incredibly talented footballers in there but they’re all people at the end of the day and I think we all need a quiet word here and there, or a strong word depending on the scenario," he said.
"We’ve got a really good atmosphere in the dressing room, we’ve got some great characters in there, a good, tight unit. It’s been improving throughout my time here.
"I’ve played a fair bit of football over my career, I’m a little bit older than some of them. Which is great, that’s an important part of it, I enjoy that part of it, I was captain at previous clubs. I do quite enjoy that side of it.
"But for me the priority is always the playing, it doesn’t go away. It can be hard at times. At the end of the day I’m always a big believer in the team and supporting David, who has been playing most of the time, and giving him everything in support.
"But it still comes back to the personal side of wanting to play and that drive to do that, the other stuff is there but it’s probably secondary.
"I’m also a realist, I knew the situation coming in, I’m not saying I’ll be banging on his door every week to get in the team, but you still want the opportunities to play."
Heaton returned to his former club 18 months ago but played just 22 minutes last season, coming off the bench in the Champions League dead rubber against Young Boys in December 2021.
He insists he's been feeling good and ready to play throughout his time at the club, but competition is stepping up again with the arrival of Jack Butland until the end of the season, with Martin Dubravka returning to Newcastle.
Heaton missed out on the Carabao Cup third-round fixture with Aston Villa due to injury but said he had spoken to Ten Hag on a few occasions about getting games under his belt.
"We’ve had plenty of conversations. He talks to everyone. I saw opportunities and was slightly frustrated not to play in the earlier rounds," he said.
"I had a bad time with injury in fairness so I was actually out for the first game and was coming back for the second when Martin came in and did well. It’s unfortunate when things don’t fall your way but I’m chomping at the bit to play games and get opportunities.
"They’ve been limited so far in my 18 months back at the club, but I’ve never taken my eyes off the ball and when I had the opportunity tonight I really enjoyed it."
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