Erik ten Hag has revealed he had to make some dramatic changes when he first arrived at Manchester United.
The Red Devils appear to be on the road to recovery under Ten Hag, who has been in the job for a year.
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A horror season led by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before Ralf Rangnick’s doomed interim spell saw United finish sixth in the Premier League.
They had conceded 57 times, the most since 1979, and finished the season with a negative goal difference for the first time since 1990.
But under Ten Hag, United finished in the top four and also lifted the Carabao Cup last season.
And the Dutch coach has admitted he has had to make a series of changes since his appointment as manager.
He said: “In general when I came in at Man United, the standards were not right.
“I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery and nutrition because that makes the difference if you can perform every third or fourth day.
“That is the demand for every top player, so at Man United we are demanding the highest standards.”
United have not been afraid to splash the cash since Ten Hag’s arrival last summer having brought in Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
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In total, he spent close to £200million and spending this year has already reached £100m.
Rasmus Hojlund’s impending transfer from Atalanta looks set to follow Mason Mount and Andre Onana’s arrivals.
But Ten Hag does not want to lose momentum after helping United finish in a Champions League spot last season and the Red Devils coach wants more mental strength from his side.
He added: “There were also games where we bounced back.
“But it’s true, we proved we can beat anyone, all of the big teams in the world, but also had our bad days and have to be more consistent.
“We have to learn from that – but still it’s only three points.
“This season I’m sure there will be bad results coming and we have to deal with it.
“Of course avoid it but when it happens we [need] damage control for a period, then in a later stage of the game find a way back.
“That is definitely also one of our challenges this season.”
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