Hiding Erik ten Hag’s tactics? Man Utd install giant wall at training ground in attempt to shield manager’s secrets

Ten Hag lobbied for the privacy screens to avoid any sensitive information from United’s tactical formation sessions being exposed, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Barriers already exist around the usual first-team pitches but additional screens will be put up to separate the men’s and women’s training sessions, although the club have denied that this is due to any ‘distractions’.

Additional protection from the wind is also another factor, with former manager Louis van Gaal demanding trees be planted around the training pitch due to the exposure to the breeze.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United are hoping the increased privacy around their training ground will help keep their tactical setups for Sunday games a secret, due to their Saturday training sessions usually being viewable by the public on site to watch academy games.

  Ten Hag’s side always train the day before a match and they are scheduled to play at least eight matches on a Sunday until February due to United’s involvement in the Europa League.
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  DID YOU KNOW?

  United are not the first team to keep a privacy wall around their training ground. Liverpool also had plans approved in 2015 for privacy screens to be built around their Melwood complex, while Bayern Munich also have ‘secret training ground’, made possible by opaque fences around a separate area.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TEN HAG AND MAN UTD?

  Man Utd return to Premier League action next Saturday by hosting Brentford in an attempt to finally get their season up and running after an underwhelming start.

  Ten Hag will also be hoping for a good display from his side after facing significant pressure over his job during the international break.