Thursday, 21 July 2022 at 14:10• Jordi Tomasowa • Last update: 14:10

Bruno Fernandes applauds Erik ten Hag’s strict and new disciplinary policy at Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder believes that discipline within the dressing room of the Red Devils should have been tightened much earlier. With the new rules, Ten Hag aims to raise standards and promote unity after the disappointing last season revealed division and a lack of discipline.

Ten Hag is known for his no-nonsense approach and attention to detail, both on and off the pitch. He has according to The Telegraph introduced a set of ground rules that he expects his players to adhere to. For example, they receive fines or penalties for being late during team meetings, training sessions or at eateries. Is there a ban on phones during these eateries, which are always communal. In addition, Ten Hag has introduced a ban on alcohol during match weeks, regular BMI checks take place to ensure that the players are in shape and players are encouraged to eat meals prepared by the club instead of using own cooks.

United’s squad have also been told to discuss any complaints directly with Ten Hag or his staff. The manager wants to stop the leakage of information from the locker room and create a culture of honesty and togetherness. Fernandes was one of the players who repeatedly tried to get the shattered dressing room back together last season and the United midfielder applauds Ten Hag’s tough approach. “I think we missed discipline for a while,” the Portuguese told The Telegraph.

“In my view, discipline is very important,” Fernandes continues. “For me, discipline is not just the way you play on the pitch, what task you have to perform in your position, it also relates to things off the pitch. “Not being late for team meetings, not being late for dining. I think that’s very important because if everyone is on time and someone is late, they should be punished. Fernandes is also very pleased with the “We didn’t play with such a high pressing as we do now last season, so if we press high like we do now, you are close to the goal when you win back the ball and that makes it easier. It makes you fresher when you have the ball. We all know that last season was not good enough and now we want to show something different.”