The 4-0 win over Liverpool has left many football fans asking if the five commandments of Erik ten Hag is yielding results for the club. The arrival of the Dutchman changed and influenced some things in the club. He gave the players five commandments just like Barcelona legend Xavi did when he joined Barcelona last season.
Manchester United embark on a two-and-a-half-week tour of Thailand and Australia on Friday, with new manager Erik ten Hag having warned his players they will pay a heavy price if they step out of line.
Ten Hag, known for his meticulous approach and micro-management of his players, has set out a series of ground rules knowns as the five commandments which every United player should follow. The former Ajax coach was hired after Manchester United finished last season in sixth place, with their worst points total of the English Premier League era.
Ten Hag has sought to address off-field issues, as well as United’s problems on the pitch, by introducing a series of hardline measures to bring back unity and discipline to the Old Trafford club. United’s players have been told they will be exiled by ten Hag if he finds any of them are leaking dressing-room information, which had been a problem for every boss in the post-Ferguson era.
The 52-year-old has also told United’s players they will be dropped if they are late for training or team meetings, no matter who they are, with reputations counting for nothing. United’s players have also been told they are not allowed to drink alcohol during match weeks, to ensure they are in peak condition when it comes to playing.
He also told the player the players that all of them will have the same chefs preparing meals for them. It removed the menu at United’s Carrington training complex, with fish and vegetables featuring more prominently than before. Each United player has had a custom-made diet plan drawn up and will have their Body Mass Index (BMI) checked monthly to make sure they are staying in shape.
Despite his tough stance on so many issues, ten Hag has also told his players to come and see him if they have any problems, rather than going to their agents.