Pundit issues ‘horrific’ behind-the-scenes Man United claim after training ground reveal
The decision to call the Man United players in on their day off after the loss to Brentford was for psychological reasons rather than as a physical punishment.
That’s according to former Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Reds Devils’ 4-0 loss to Brentford on Saturday (13 August).
As per The Athletic (15 August), Man United’s players were called in for training the day after the Brentford clash (14 August), on what was supposed to be a day off.
It is claimed every member of the squad was required to run 13.8km, the difference in distance covered between Brentford and the Red Devils during their game.
McLeish insists the players will feel a psychological benefit from the move.
“Back in the day we got brought back in on Sundays when things didn’t go well for us on the Saturday,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Ben Wild.
“Sometimes they did go well but not as well as the manager would have wanted, we still came in on the Sunday to feel the wrath.
“Maybe we wouldn’t do the training and that will be the thing with Man United. The Physios and sports scientists will be thinking about players getting into the red zone with that extra training.
“I think this one is more of a psychological one. It is designed to shake up the players who played in that horrific 4-0 defeat.
“Will it make them play better? You would think every individual would have the mentality of wanting to show the world that they are a much better player than that.
“There has to be a reaction.”
In other news, Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo and Man United teammate creating ‘poisonous’ dressing room atmosphere as new details emerge.