ERIK TEN HAG ordered his players into Carrington for an EXTRA training session on Sunday to run 13.8 kilometres (8.5 miles) – the difference in distance covered by Brentford in their Premier League thrashing.
The Red Devils were embarrassed by the Bees – who stunned the Dutch tactician’s side by racing into a 4-0 lead after just 35 minutes.
Ex-Ajax manager Ten Hag was ‘horrified’ by his team’s performance, and let them know that they had let everyone associated with the club down.
And in a brutal interview with beIN Sports he slammed his charges after the shocking defeat.
He said: “It’s quite clear. It’s rubbish. It’s poor and we need higher standards than that.
“I can bring up several things but that looks like excuses. And that is not there in the top we have to deliver and we didn’t do.”
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After the result, Ten Hag instructed his players to report to duty today – on what was supposed to their day off, according to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol.
Solhekol tweeted: “Erik ten Hag wanted to make Manchester United players run 13.8 kilometres (8.5 miles) during their exercises in their extra training session today. Brentford players ran 13.8 kilometres more than them yesterday. Distance covered yesterday: Brentford 109.4km United 95.6km.”
He continued: “Ten Hag horrified by Man United performance v Brentford. Made it clear players have let everyone associated with the club down. It is non-negotiable that you are prepared to run through brick walls when you play for United. Too many players appear to be afraid to play for United.”
As we previously reported, strict Ten Hag has already laid out precisely what he expects from players in a five-step plan.
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The 52-year-old will not tolerate sideways and backwards passing — subbing off players in training who do NOT play forward.
Players must improve on their fitness and ‘unacceptable’ body language from last term.
Dressing-room cliques are to be totally eradicated.
Youngsters will get their chance to impress and oust senior players.
Whiles mega-money stars’ medal hauls and salaries count for nothing in his selection plans, only training performances.
Ten Hag’s disciplined stance was seen in a clip that went viral on social media, when the club toured Australia during their preseason tour.
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In a training session he was seen laying into youngster Zidane Iqbal who wasn’t listening to instructions.
“Keep the ball on the floor! Zidane! Hey! Keep the ball on the floor,” shouted Ten Hag. “F*****g rubbish!”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
