NUTRITION, RECOVERY AND SLEEP... IMPROVE THESE OR BE KILLED

Ten Hag insists his Reds must raise their basic standards to have any chance of competing

- DAVID McDONNELL

ERIK TEN HAG has warned his Manchester United players they cannot allow their standards to drop or they will be “killed” next season. 

Ten Hag raised standards on and off the pitch in his first season at United, taking them to third place in the Premier League and ending their six-year wait for a trophy.

But Ten Hag has told his players they cannot sit still if they are serious about taking the next step and competing at the same level as Treble winners Manchester City.

During a break from United’s US tour, Ten Hag – relaxed and tanned from the West Coast sun – spoke candidly about the mess he inherited when he took charge and the culture change he had to instil to turn the club around.

“When I came in the standards were not right,” said the Dutchman.

“I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery and nutrition, because that makes the difference if you have to perform every third or fourth day.

“That is the demand for every top football player and at Manchester United we are demanding the highest standards.