Man Utd chiefs give in to Ten Hag request after Van Gaal and Mourinho snubs

08 August 2023 , 16:59

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Man Utd chiefs give in to Ten Hag request after Van Gaal and Mourinho snubs

Erik ten Hag has won where previous managers have lost with Manchester United creating a new player lounge at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils' hierarchy is to create a new dedicated pre-match area, which was a request from their Dutch manager but will impact the team's hospitality revenue. The first-team squad had been using the No 7 suite in the South Stand for pre-match meals and hospitality.

They had to vacate it 90 minutes before kick-off however so that it could be turned back into hospitality for customers. It bagged the club more than £10m in revenue, but will now be solely used for the players as the club look to utilise unused areas in the East Stand to offset the costs, according to the Daily Express.

Louis van Gaal, who arrived in 2014 and was in charge for two seasons, as well as his successor, Jose Mourinho, both made the plea as well but were unsuccessful with their request. The Special One often got his squad to meet at Lowry Hotel in the city centre, but experienced difficulties getting to the stadium due to congestion.

Ten Hag's promising first season has given him more say and gravity at Old Trafford with sources at the club stating that the decision to rid of hospitality in favour of a player lounge is proof of the “football first” approach led by new chief executive Richard Arnold.

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There have been huge calls for Old Trafford to undergo major redevelopment, which will aid both players and supporters. The stadium has been allowed to slip behind the state-of-the-art grounds that have been built or improved in recent years with United someway behind their rivals.

Man United's players will get a dedicated pre-match area at Old Trafford

Any major changes are unlikely to take place until the club's ownership issue is resolved. The Glazers have shown no appetite to invest in the stadium and, if they decide to sell up, that will be among the priorities for a new man at the top of the club.

The protracted takeover saga hasn't harmed the club's transfer business, however. Ten Hag, along with his off-pitch wishes, has largely landed all the players he wanted with problem positions addressed. Mason Mount has come in to bolster the midfield with Andre Onana their new No 1.

Rasmus Hojlund is the latest man to arrive in Manchester after he was introduced to the crowd following his £72m move from Atalanta. Another midfielder could yet arrive before the transfer window closes with some fringe players leaving to fund any new faces.

Gideon Brooks