Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has reportedly requested a privacy wall to be installed at the club’s training ground in Carrington, with the construction expected to cost around £200,000. This addition comes as part of a larger £50 million investment in upgrading the Carrington training complex, as United aims to enhance its facilities to match those of other elite clubs. The need for improved infrastructure has been a priority as United seeks to maintain competitiveness both on and off the pitch.
However, these ongoing upgrades have exposed training sessions to increased visibility, raising concerns about privacy. To address this, Ten Hag has requested the installation of a large white wall to shield training activities from onlookers. The wall is not only intended to block prying eyes but also to provide some protection from harsh weather conditions, ensuring that training can proceed uninterrupted.
Despite uncertainty about Ten Hag’s long-term future at the club, the proposal has been approved by INEOS executives and other key figures in United’s management. According to the Daily Mail, the new wall is expected to bring back the level of privacy that players once enjoyed at the club’s previous training ground.
However, the cost of this new wall has sparked debate among some of the club’s employees. The approval comes at a time when United is undergoing significant cost-cutting measures, which have led to the loss of 250 jobs as part of a wider restructuring effort.
Although the club’s co-owners have promised to reinvest the savings from these cuts into first-team operations, some staff members have expressed concerns about whether the wall represents a worthwhile expense, given the financial pressures facing the club. Additionally, The Mirror reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of United’s new co-owners, canceled certain privileges for employees during last season’s FA Cup final, further highlighting the internal friction regarding the club’s financial priorities.
The idea of making adjustments to the training ground for weather-related reasons is not new at Manchester United. Former manager Louis van Gaal, who led the team for two seasons, was known for implementing unusual measures during his time at the club. One of his more eccentric decisions was to bring in diggers and earthmovers to build windbreakers at Carrington.
Van Gaal defended the decision, explaining that “wind is not always a friend of the players.” This demonstrates how Manchester United’s managers, past and present, have made significant efforts to optimize the training environment for their teams.
The ongoing enhancements at Carrington reflect the club’s commitment to providing top-tier facilities for both players and coaching staff. As Manchester United strives to stay competitive, these changes are seen as essential for maintaining the high standards expected of a club of its stature.
On the field, however, Manchester United has experienced a challenging start to the season. Heading into the international break, the team finds itself in an unexpectedly low position on the league table after a historically poor beginning to their campaign. Despite these struggles, Ten Hag remains optimistic, believing that he still has the support of the club’s upper management. The privacy wall and other facility improvements are seen as part of the broader efforts to ensure the team can turn things around and regain its competitive edge as the season progresses.