ERIK TEN HAG will put Manchester United stars through a gruelling boot camp that staff have dubbed ‘Hell Week’ as he chases a flying start next season.
The Red Devils boss has yet to make a summer signing as the club’s takeover saga rumbles on, with Chelsea turning down THREE bids for Mason Mount.
![Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag [R] in action during the training session before match against Liverpool at Rajamangala stadium on July 11, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Vachira Vachira/NurPhoto via Getty Images)](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/kalong-notitle220711_npNWC-JS827341332.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But Ten Hag remains convinced United can be in the title mix — and is determined that a lack of fitness will not be an excuse for his squad, who finished third last term.
Staff at the club’s Carrington training base were this week given a list of instructions to ensure everything is ready for pre-season training at the start of July.
And they have been told to expect the Dutchman back behind his desk as early as next weekend.
It is understood ten Hag plans four days of double sessions and there will be an even greater emphasis on building stamina across his squad.
And he has demanded that all the pitches are ready for the end of this week, with testing due to begin from July 3 for those who have not been away with their national teams.
Carrington staff are already checking in with players and referring to it as ‘Hell Week’ — a term more commonly used to describe SAS selection camps.
A source revealed: “Last summer Erik had players doing press-ups and other fitness forfeits to try and build spirit.
“This time it sounds like some might actually have their spirits broken!”
United centre-back Lisandro Martinez says he is ready to take a full part in pre-season training next month.
The Argentina international missed the end of last season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot in April.
Last week, the defender, 25, posted a photo from a gym session with a United physio saying he was “getting closer”.
And yesterday he uploaded a clip of him running and kicking a ball in United training kit before later tweeting: “So happy to be back 100%” alongside a flexing muscle emoji.
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United — who have left a £55million offer for Mount on the table while keeping an eye on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo — begin their preparations with a friendly against Leeds in Oslo on July 12.
They then play Lyon in Edinburgh a week later.
The Red Devils are heading to the USA for the first time in five years, for games against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, before finishing a punishing pre-season schedule against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on August 6.
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