Erik ten Hag is Manchester United's Mr Meticulous ahead of his second season in charge - he has banned flip-flops, hired a life coach and changed eating habits at Old Trafford

Erik ten Hag's meticulous attention to detail was a hallmark of his first year at Manchester United, and no-one at the club was kidding themselves that it was going to be any different as he embarks on year two at Old Trafford.

If anything, Ten Hag's forensic focus on the small details has only got more acute the longer he has been in the job. The Dutchman knows success and failure are separated by fine margins, and he is determined to be on the right side of that.

A coach who arrived at United last summer with a reputation for wanting the grass cut to a specific length and water bottles arranged in straight lines continues to demand that everything is just how he likes it, however particular.

For instance, it has emerged on United's tour of the US that Ten Hag doesn't like intrusive microphones thrust in his face at press conferences. Broadcasters have been asked to remove the large foam heads so their mics appear less conspicuous.

But that's just a personal preference. Most of what Ten Hag dictates is designed to maintain a strict disciplinary code within his squad and the highest standards of professionalism in terms of training, nutrition, rest and recovery.

On tour, the players and staff have been required to turn up every day dressed in the right colour code, even down to black or white socks, which is emailed the night before.

Ten Hag picks up on any violations and flip-flops are forbidden. The players must eat breakfast together and mobile phones are another no-no, of course.

Nothing gets in the way of work. When co-chairman Avram Glazer and his wife Jill turned up to watch training at Pingry School in New Jersey, there was just the briefest of handshakes and exchange of pleasantries before Ten Hag took training.

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