Manchester United Dressing Room Issues: Can Erik Ten Hag Eradicate the Player-Power Problem At Old Trafford?    

Introduction: 

The cracks in the Red Devils’ dressing room have once again become apparent, raising questions on the Dutch boss’s ability to address the persistent issue of player power at the theatre of dreams. While Erik Ten Hag came with a mission to get rid of this culture, it is evident that one individual alone cannot sort out a problem that has been suppurating well over a decade.

Dressing Room Commotion:

The disruption signs came to light during ETH’s first pre-season as the head coach. Alejandro Garnacho’s lateness for breakfast set a foregoing precedent, following the premature exit of Cristiano Ronaldo from matches, even when he was scheduled to come on as a substitute. The situation was further exacerbated by the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo interview with Piers Morgan where he openly criticised the manager and others. Marcus Rashford's tardiness for a team meeting resulted in his exclusion from the starting lineup. 

Following a brief lull, a wave of gloom ridden stories related to the dressing room began to surface at the start of a new season. Jadon Sancho’s uninspiring efforts in training led to a social media outburst when accosted about his commitment. Antony has been confronted with grave allegations of perpetrating violence against women that resulted in his temporary absence from the side. Anthony Martial’s timing problem during training and Rashford’s nightclub visit after a disappointing result against fierce rivals Manchester City added to their increasing list of dereliction. Most recently, Garnacho’s liking a tweet pillorying Ten Hag after a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth further underlined the mounting tensions within the squad. 

Ferguson’s Era of Control:

Under the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson, dressing room leaks were a rarity, and grumbling voices if any were silenced promptly. Noteworthy names such as Roy Keane, Ruud Van Nisterlrooy and David Beckham were all shown their way out when they questioned Ferguson’s authority. The manager’s steadfast control made sure that no player, regardless of how talented or influential they are, is bigger than the club’s interests. Ferguson’s strong grip on the team’s affairs allowed the Red Devils to maintain their success even after high profile departures. 

Post Ferguson Struggles:

United has found it difficult to maintain control within the dressing room ever since Ferguson’s retirement in 2014. David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, all accomplished managers with august pedigrees, struggled to assert their authority at the club. Moyes had disputes with players early on, while Van Gaal’s severe training methods and straight from the shoulder nature estranged some players within the squad. Mourinho’s adversarial style has been a subject to mixed opinions and big names such as Paul Pogba had animosity with the special one. 

United’s Long-Standing Problem:

The player power issue at Man Utd is not a recent phenomenon, as it has lingered throughout the club’s history, eclipsing the modern era of football. Unlike rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, United has failed to effectively tackle this problem. Several managers have identified the issue but have been unable to completely eradicate it. 

Interim boss Ralf Ragnick recognised the need for a  panoramic cultural shift within the club, stressing on the importance of concerted effort rather than putting the blame solely on the manager. The latest changes in the club’s ownership structure, with INEOS taking qualified control, offer hope for executing higher standards throughout the organisation. The new appointments, including prospective hires Jason Wilcox, Dan Ashworth and CEO Omar Berrada are yet to begin their roles. 

Erik Ten Hag finds himself in deep waters and his position at the helm is at risk, given the continuing dressing room struggles that have afflicted the club. While he took up this job with  an idea to instil discipline, the lack of immediate support and public vote of confidence from the new owners further aggravates the challenges he faces. To conquer these hurdles, the implementation of “best in class” standards across the club, as anticipated by the club, is momentous. Only then can the men in red hope to move past this era of resentment and reinstate the glory associated with the club’s reputable history.