Five strict rules Man Utd stars had to stick to as Michael Carrick stamps his authority

View 3 Images

Manchester United are entering a new chapter, and following last weekend's derby triumph over Manchester City , Michael Carrick's team take on Premier League pacesetters Arsenal this Sunday afternoon.

United sit fifth in the table, with Carrick aiming to steer his side into the top four this weekend. Should Liverpool fail to win and United claim victory, they'll climb above their rivals into fourth spot. Given that impressive showing against City and Liverpool's patchy run, it's a realistic prospect.

Carrick, who is charged with overseeing United until a permanent successor is appointed, is at the helm and has already implemented a significant shift at the club.

The former Middlesbrough boss has shortened training sessions whilst increasing their intensity, in a bid to enhance match preparation, according to the Daily Mail.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! ** Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page**

The squad have reportedly reacted positively to these modifications, and there's a refreshed mood around the club. Carrick's assistant Steve Holland has come on board alongside Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans as they seek to revitalise the team's performances, with players seemingly appreciative of the meticulous approach demonstrated by the coaching staff.

Previous manager Ruben Amorim prohibited three practices during his tenure at the club: using international breaks as holidays, consuming food in the dressing room on matchdays, and coaches over-complicating instructions to players.

It remains uncertain whether Carrick has maintained these prohibitions, and while Amorim had good intentions with them, his strategy ultimately failed, and the squad never adjusted to his 3-4-3 formation.

View 3 Images

Former United manager Erik ten Hag also implemented his own rigid set of regulations during his time at the club. The Mirror disclosed in 2022 that the Dutchman was uncompromising in his player management approach.

The first involved substantial penalties for players caught leaking dressing room details, a persistent issue for managers since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure.

Secondly, players faced being dropped if they arrived late to training sessions or team meetings, irrespective of their status or standing, as Marcus Rashford discovered.

View 3 Images

Ten Hag also prohibited alcohol during match weeks to ensure optimal physical fitness. He reportedly wanted identical chefs preparing meals for United's squad, rather than allowing them to use their own private catering teams.

Finally, Ten Hag transformed the menu to incorporate more fish and vegetables. Every player received a personalised dietary programme and had their Body Mass Index monitored monthly to ensure they maintained proper condition.