Inside Man Utd’s meticulous pre-season with mobile phone ban and tour cut short

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has taken an extreme hands-on approach to the club pre-season tour of the US, which was cut short due to concerns over player welfare. The Red Devils have already taken on Arsenal , Wrexham and Real Madrid before Monday’s final friendly against Borussia Dortmund in the early hours of Monday morning. But behind the scenes, Ten Hag has showcased his detailed approach across the two weeks as they have visited New Jersey, San Diego and Houston before moving to Las Vegas. The Mirror claim that in previous years, tours have lasted longer than the two weeks but this year Ten Hag decided to give the players a break and avoid potential burnout – with the Nations League only finishing in mid-June. Ten Hag has influenced the training bases, individual diets and even what the players wear on specific days as his rules have been strictly enforced as the Red Devils look to improve on last season’s third-placed finish. The Dutch boss has instructed that both the players and staff need to be wearing the correct kit or outfit on specific days including the right colour of socks, while Ten Hag’s strict attitude extends to meal times as he has specifically banned mobile phones in the dining room and prefers that the team eat and chat together. Erik ten Hag leading Manchester United pre-season training. (Image: Getty) Some staff members have been given an increased role, most notably team chef Omar Meziane who was brought in from the FA in December. He has been given an assistant chef as well as two nutritionists in America to help serve an individualised meal plan – including samples of local food at each location. At New Jersey and San Diego, Ten Hag opted to base the group away from busy areas and instead train and focus in peace – away from the limelight. At the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa, United had a garden area that was used as a games room involving a basketball net and table tennis tables to help the players and staff unwind. Manchester United stars focused during pre-season. (Image: Getty)