Manchester United players believe poor start due to overworking in pre-season
section of Manchester United players believe the team’s poor start is down to Erik ten Hag overworking the squad in pre-season. They have complained of beginning the campaign feeling as tired as when they finished the previous one.
Those discontented include several senior squad members, the Guardian has been told. It is understood none have explicitly aired their concerns to the manager, who believes his players are fully committed and comprehend the need for sacrifice if United are to be consistently successful.
During pre-season the manager is thought to have upped the intensity of training in an attempt to make United title contenders. Preparation included eight friendlies: four in Norway, Scotland, England and Ireland and the others played during a 12-day trip to the US that ranged across three time zones, taking place in New Jersey, San Diego, Houston and Las Vegas.
This came after many of the squad had participated in the Qatar World Cup in mid-season.
Ten Hag may have been governed by commercial demands with regard to the pre-season itinerary. Christian Eriksen complained about the travelling after United had lost against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas in the final US tour game but the midfielder stated a “tough pre‑season” was to be expected.
Last season Ten Hag led United to the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup final and third place – returning the team to the Champions League. In this campaign they have lost nine of their 18 games, a record that includes being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle and defeat in three of their four Champions League group matches. In the Premier League United have lost five and won seven. They sit sixth, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with a goal difference of minus
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