Posted: 23:21, August 23, 2022 | Updated: 23:51, 23 August 2022
Erik ten Haag set an example for his under-performing Manchester United stars when he took part in the 8.5-mile run as punishment. As reported by Sportsmail, the Dutch manager ordered his players to do extra running the day after their embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Brentford on August 13. The match stats showed United had run 13.8km less than Brentford to compound their humiliation and Ten Haag ordered them to make up the distance as Sunday’s scheduled day off was canceled and they were brought in for extra training in the heat. Manager Erik ten Haag (pictured) set an example for his under-performing Manchester United stars when he took part in the 8.5-mile run he gave them as punishment. United’s players were far from happy, but Ten Haag took the unusual step of walking the course himself to underline his message that everyone was responsible, from the coaching staff down. Ten Haag stressed that there had been “a lot of talk” about what United’s players should do and that “it was time to act” with hard work and dedication. It was his way of telling the players that he shared responsibility and was equally guilty of how he had set them up and the instructions he had given. He told them that he was part of the team and therefore should share the punishment, however he then struggled to overcome the run. United’s players were dragged back into training after a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brentford – with Ten Haag instructing them to run the 13.8km they had run less than the Bees But the Dutchman was involved himself – which led to him gaining the respect of the team members However, the move is believed to have gone some way towards earning Ten Haag respect and winning over members of the squad who were still unconvinced by the Dutch coach. It focuses heavily on the change in attitudes and morale that some players believe helped create Monday night’s performance against Liverpool. United returned to training on Tuesday in high spirits and Ten Haag is hoping to add more new faces this week to lift his squad further. Ajax winger Anthony, PSV’s Cody Gakpo and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong remain on their wishlist as well as an experienced goalkeeper.
