Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has allegedly refused his players' request for more rest days amid concerns over the squad's workload.
After making waves in his debut season with a third-placed Premier League finish and EFL Cup crown, Ten Hag has found the going much tougher in the Old Trafford dugout this time around.
Amid a spate of injuries and criticism of the Red Devils' lack of offensive output, Ten Hag's team have only taken 27 points from their first 15 games in the Premier League, good enough for sixth place in the table.
Man United's EFL Cup defence also came to an early end at the hands of Newcastle United, whom they sunk in last season's final, while they sit bottom of their Champions League group with just four points from a possible 15.
In order to qualify for the knockout rounds, Man United must beat group leaders Bayern Munich at Old Trafford next week and hope that Copenhagen's meeting with Galatasaray ends in a draw, as the latter two sides are both one point better off.
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It has been claimed that Man United players have blamed the unforgiving pre-season schedule for their slow start to the season, and Ten Hag's ruthless training methods have continued to come under intense scrutiny.
According to the Daily Mail, a handful of players have complained to the head coach about their workload via the leadership group, with particular emphasis on a lack of rest days and inability to plan ahead.
The report claims that Ten Hag devises a weekly schedule, but the Dutchman can amend the workload depending on how his side perform in matches, and he has turned down players' requests for more days off.
The former Ajax head coach is said to have listened to the players' concerns and has sometimes granted a few more rest days than normal, but he believes that his players must be prepared to push their bodies to the limit for the badge.
Ten Hag is supposedly 'convinced' that the physical demands of the Premier League are becoming all the more greater and will continue to demand only the highest standards of his players, while making no apologies for doing so.
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The 'vast majority' of players are understood to be supportive of Ten Hag's methods, but the 53-year-old does not have a rosy relationship with every member of his squad, as Jadon Sancho has been frozen out for over three months now.
The England winger claimed that he was being made a "scapegoat" after being dropped for September's defeat to Arsenal, and having refused to say sorry to his manager, he has been banished from the first-team picture.
Ten Hag recently affirmed that it would be up to Sancho to save his Man United career, but the ex-Borussia Dortmund man is expected to head for the exit door at the earliest opportunity in January.
Meanwhile, Raphael Varane has fallen out of favour under Ten Hag, who has preferred Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans to the World Cup winner in the heart of defence for the majority of the season.
Varane and Ten Hag's relationship was alleged to be broken beyond repair, but the Red Devils boss denied rumours of a rift when questioned in a recent press conference.
Ben Knapton
