Erik Ten Hag Switched Man Utd's Home And Away Dugouts After First Visit For Interesting Reason

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag permanently switched the home and away dugouts of Old Trafford after his first visit to the stadium.

The 52-year-old has been tasked with restoring United to their former glory and a number of changes have already been made.

Perhaps the most unorthodox is to the dugouts inside the stadium, something ten Hag requested back in May.

It is for more than cosmetic reasons though. An article on United's official website reads: "In a new lay-out agreed with Erik, the home and away dugouts have been permanently switched so that the United manager, staff and substitutes will now be sat in the seats to the west of the half-way line – the dugout previously occupied by the away team.

"Erik approved the move after visiting Old Trafford for the first time in May and noting how the old away dugout was closer to the tunnel, and to the half of the pitch where substitutes warm up."

So in short, it seems ten Hag has requested the change so he and his staff can be closer to substitutes who are warming up.

United went on to say the team will be seated closer to the Stretford End too.

The article continues: "Switching sides will also position the home staff and players closer to the Stretford End – the traditional heart of the home support – and align the dugouts with the halves of the pitch in which the home and away teams warm up before the game."

Ten Hag has added Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen to his squad this summer and is still interested in Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

RB Salzburg forward Benjamin Sesko is also on United's radar and director of football John Murtough spoke to the teenage sensation's agent recently.

New players will allow ten Hag to impose his strict philosophy onto a United squad that finished sixth in the Premier League last time out.

United registered 58 points, their lowest-ever points tally, and came dangerously close to dropping out of top six.

When asked if he feels any pressure about the job at hand, ten Hag told The Guardian: "I have a strong belief. This is a big challenge but until now everywhere I’ve been I’ve got the maximum out of my teams, and this is the project that is the most difficult. I am here so I am convinced I can do it."

The Red Devils start their campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.