Erik ten Hag has refused to give in to senior Manchester United players’ demands for extra days off and early notification of their training program. 

In recent weeks, the United manager is said to have received multiple concerns from members of the players’ leadership group about their workload, with particular reservations about the restricted number of rest days they are granted and the squad’s inability to arrange their time off.

Ten Hag provides United’s players with a weekly training schedule, which he reserves the right to adjust based on results, although other players prefer to be able to prepare farther ahead. 

Although not all of the senior players, notably Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton, have complained, the vast bulk of the squad is supportive of the manager.

Erik ten Hag has received complaints regarding the workload of prominent Manchester United players. 

The players’ leadership group includes Marcus Rashford and Casemiro.

While listening to their worries, Ten Hag’s response is said to have been uncompromising, claiming that playing for a club like United requires the highest levels of dedication and sacrifice, and that the players must be willing to put their bodies on the line. 

The Dutchman has given his players some extra days off this season, but he believes the Premier League is becoming more physically demanding and makes no apologies for the expectations he places on them.