Erik Ten Hag Criticised For Going 'Too Far' With His Rules

Erik ten Hag has been warned that he's 'going too far,' after the new Manchester United boss gave his new players a bunch of rules.

So far this summer it's been a pretty good start to life as United boss for Ten Hag, as the team have already won three from three in pre season.

Whilst results in friendlies ultimately won't mean anything when the league starts in 15 days, there's no doubt that there's been better football played already by the team.

Marcus Rashford's goal in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace included some lovely build up play and hinted at what might be to come for United.

United obviously didn't hate the rules against Palace. Image: Alamy

Clearly Ten Hag has got some very specific plans, and he's also given his players some rules to play for him, which include not drinking alcohol on game weeks.

Whilst they seem pretty sensible rules, Gabby Agbonlahor has criticised the Dutchman, claiming that the 'commandments' are 'overkill.'

"The players don’t [drink anymore], they’ll maybe have now a glass of red with dinner, maybe on the weekend or something," the former Aston Villa striker said on talkSPORT.

"The rules Ten Hag is giving are normal rules. Players will always get weighed once or twice a week. That’s normal to keep tabs on what you eat. 

Ten Hag's rules haven't stifled United players right now. Image: Alamy

"With the drinking, the players don’t do it anyway, so when he’s come in and given out these rules, the players are probably thinking, ‘We do this anyway, gaffer, it’s nothing new to us’

"I feel like that’s overkill, [with the ban on] personal chefs, they’re going to cook them healthy food.

"Maybe just tell them these are the sort of foods you’ve got to eat.

"I think he’s overdoing it a bit now because players are going to have personal chefs. They can cook healthy food, they know what foods to feed players, so why would they need to take food from the training ground?"

United also impressed against Liverpool. Image: Alamy

Agbonlahor thinks the rules have gone too far but also thinks that most of the United players will already be sticking to them, which might be a bit of a contradiction.

One man who certainly won't disagree with the rules set out by the 52-year-old is Stan Collymore, who called on a ban from alcohol on all players, in the wake of Jack Grealish's summer partying.

As well as the off pitch stuff, the new boss at Old Trafford also has some guidelines for playing for him on the pitch, including a need to pass forward.

The manager doesn't want to see cliques forming in the dressing room, which caused the split between those who wanted Harry Maguire as captain and those who thought it should be Cristiano Ronaldo.