Erik ten Hag has taken yet another step in his bid to exert greater control over his team’s training regimens in order to maximise performance output.

The Red Devils have made a quiet start to the 2023-24 season, losing twice already and winning a further two so far. 

While a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal last time out will have perhaps been a disheartening one, United showed great heart and battle in coming from 2-0 down to beat Nottingham Forest. 

On his arrival some 15 months ago, the Dutchman identified three key areas that the club needed to improve on, with United making a hire from the Football Association to help further this aim. 

Erik ten Hag has taken a new step to ensure he can maximise his side’s potential performance output

United are currently in 11th after the international break after two wins and two losses at the start of 2023-24

Rather than head home for lunch after training, players are now being told to stay at Carrington to make use of their newly-revamped canteen, leaving at around 2pm now.

The development is not thought to have caused any issues with players yet, who would reportedly frequent local fine-dinging establishments instead. 

Head chef Omar Meziane was brought in from the FA earlier this year, and is thought to have been a key part of Ten Hag’s drive to improve his players’ nutrition. 

It comes after the club began their pre-season tour of the United States with a push towards improving nutritional analysis within the squad. 

Recently-promoted Ed Leng – previously lead sport scientist, now head of physical performance – is believed to have played a vital role in this. 

The squad began wearing blood glucose monitors on match days as well as sweat patches, to monitor their individual nutritional and hydration needs. 

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Ten Hag has largely been handed a free rein in terms of his approach to player management since he took charge last summer, with results seemingly backing up his work after an improvement last term. 

This is the latest in a number of measures implemented under the Dutchman, including a renovated players’ lounge at Old Trafford, changes to the home dugout and a tiered briefing room at the training complex. 

Man United’s chef Omar Mezaine was brought in from the Football Association earlier this year

The new players’ lounge was built at United over the summer in time for the season opener against Wolves

It comes a a time when United are facing a number of battles and key decisions within the club. 

Ten Hag is seemingly at odds with £73million forward Jadon Sancho, after publicly calling out his approach to training, only for the England international to claim that he is being scapegoated by the club. 

Brazilian star Antony is also facing a number of abuse allegations from three separate women, and has since taken an indefinite leave of absence from the club, having pleaded his innocence while police investigations take place in Brazil and the UK. 

He was included in Manchester United’s final 25-man Premier League squad list, submitted on Thursday evening.  

Manchester United have named winger Antony in their latest 25-man Premier League squad

DJ and influencer Gabriela Cavallin has made several allegations against the United forward

Tensions have been rising between United boss Ten Hag and Jadon Sancho in recent days