Some Manchester United players believe Erik ten Hag overworked the group during preseason, which has contributed to the team’s dismal start. They have claimed that they are as fatigued as they were when they ended the previous campaign.

According to the Guardian, those who are unhappy include several senior team members. None have overtly expressed their worries to the manager, who feels his players are totally dedicated and understand the importance of sacrifice if United is to be consistently successful.

The manager is reported to have increased the intensity of training during pre-season in a bid to make United championship contenders. Eight friendlies were played in preparation: four in Norway, Scotland, England, and Ireland, and the others during a 12-day journey to the United States that included stops in New Jersey, San Diego, Houston, and Las Vegas. This happened after several of the squad had competed in the Qatar World Cup in the middle of the season.

Ten Hag’s pre-season trip may have been dictated by commercial considerations. Christian Eriksen complained about the travel after United’s last US tour game against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas, but the midfielder claimed that a “tough preseason” was to be expected.

Ten Hag led United to the Carabao Cup final, the FA Cup final, and third place last season, reintroducing the club to the Champions League. They have lost nine of their 18 games this season, including a Carabao Cup exit to Newcastle and defeats in three of their four Champions League group meetings. United have lost five games and won seven in the Premier League. With a goal differential of minus three, they are sixth, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

United has been beset by injuries and other absences, with the manager forced to manage without up to 16 players. During the international break, Marcus Rashford and André Onana became the newest injury concerns, with the striker and No. 1 goalkeeper picking up injuries while playing for England and Cameroon, respectively. Ten Hag feels that when more players become available, fortunes will flip.

Wednesday marks one year since the Glazers put United up for sale, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of 25% of the club may become official. If not, no news will be made before Monday, when the US stock market will be closed for Thanksgiving.

When Ratcliffe becomes a shareholder, his first goal may be to oust Richard Arnold as CEO. Sir Dave Brailsford, the Ineos sporting director, and Jean-Claude Blanc, CEO of Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport, might succeed Arnold. United’s football director, John Murtough, has no intention of following Arnold out the door.