Erik ten Hag has made a huge impact since joining Manchester United – and now some of the methods that the Dutchman has deployed in order to improve the culture have been revealed.
Ten Hag arrived from Ajax in the summer fresh off winning a third Dutch title in four years. And United endured their worst-ever season in the Premier League era last term.
Although United’s powers have waned in recent years since the exit of Sir Alex Ferguson, the club have regressed since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer guided them to a second-placed finish back in the 2020/21 season.
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Ten Hag endured a rocky start to his United tenure, but results have improved significantly in recent weeks. The new United chief has also been commended by several players for instilling the much-needed discipline at the club.
That’s according to The Telegraph, where a report claims that the leadership group consists of Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, David De Gea and Tom Heaton.
Even though Maguire has lost his spot in the first-team this season, he, Fernandes and De Gea are figures supporters would expect to see involved the group; the inclusion of Heaton, however, may come as a surprise.
Eyebrows were raised when Solskjaer moved to bring the veteran goalkeeper back to Old Trafford last summer. Heaton is a product of the United academy but left the club back in 2010 after failing to make a single senior appearance.
Heaton, who has starred for Burnley and won full England honours since leaving, was handed his United bow in the Champions League by Rangnick last year – even if it was only a 22-minute cameo appearance.
And the recent arrival of Martin Dubravka, who joined United on a season-long loan deal from Newcastle on deadline day, has pushed Heaton down the pecking order.
But Ten Hag believes Heaton has a big role to play for United off the pitch – something that Solskjaer also hinted heavily at last summer when he praised Heaton’s exemplary professionalism.
“Tom is a Manchester United player,” Solskjaer said last year. “He’s been here and felt this is coming home and closing the circle. He’s had a very, very good career so far and been a part of the England set-up.
“For him to come in now, taking his challenge, I think is what he needed, that last step now. He’s such a top professional and such a top guy to have around and that will help the young lads.”
