Some Man Utd players complained that the team’s poor start to the season stemmed from coach Erik ten Hag requiring too heavy training during the pre-season.
According to the British newspaper Guardian, a group of Man Utd players, including many key players, complained about starting the season with the same feeling of fatigue as the end of the 2022-2023 season.
However, no one directly expressed clear concerns to Ten Hag. The Dutch coach believes that his students must be committed and understand the sacrifices necessary to help Man Utd succeed and maintain stability.
During the pre-season, Ten Hag increased training intensity in an effort to make the “Red Devils” a championship candidate. Man Utd’s preparation process includes eight friendly matches: four matches in Norway, Scotland, England, Ireland and the remaining matches take place during a 12-day tour to the US spanning three time zones, taking place in New Zealand. Jersey, San Diego, Houston and Las Vegas.
The Guardian suggests that Ten Hag’s pre-season plans may have been dominated by commercial demands. Christian Eriksen complained about having to travel too much after Man Utd lost 2-3 to Dortmund in the final match of the US tour. But the Danish midfielder also admitted that the whole team knew they would go through a tough pre-season.
Ten Hag achieved initial success after replacing Ralf Rangnick to take over Old Trafford from the summer of 2022. The Dutch coach helped Man Utd finish fourth in the Premier League to return to the Champions League and win the Federation Cup – its first title. since 2017.
But this season, Man Utd received nine defeats through the first 18 matches, including being eliminated from the League Cup by Newcastle and losing three out of four matches, falling to the bottom of the Champions League group. In the Premier League, the team ranked sixth with 21 points and a goal difference of -3.
Ten Hag continuously faces difficulties in personnel. Man Utd is currently missing Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw due to injury, while Jadon Sancho was removed from the first team because of discipline. They are at risk of losing more people with Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana both having problems joining the team during the November training camp.
Man Utd is also in turmoil at the top after British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe completed the negotiation process to buy 25% of shares from the Glazer family for $1.7 billion. He will soon manage Man Utd’s football side, while the Glazer family will still control the commercial side.
Sports Director Dave Brailsford of Ineos Group, where Ratcliffe is Chairman and CEO, will also participate in running Man Utd. On the contrary, the owner of Old Trafford confirmed that General Director Richard Arnold will leave after 16 years of service and appointed board member Patrick Stewart as interim General Director until a new person is found.