Tom Heaton has lifted the lid on life under Ruben Amorim’s new leadership structure at Manchester United, revealing that the six-man players’ committee has already dished out its first dressing-room reprimand ahead of Sunday's showdown with Arsenal.
Amorim introduced the group earlier this month, mirroring a system Pep Guardiola uses at Manchester City, with the aim of keeping training standards high, instilling discipline, and ensuring the squad polices itself.
The chosen six are captain Bruno Fernandes, former skipper Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, and Heaton himself.
According to the veteran goalkeeper, the group wasted little time making its presence felt.
Tom Heaton has lifted the lid on life under Ruben Amorim’s new leadership structure at Manchester United, revealing that the six-man players’ committee has already dished out its first dressing-room reprimand ahead of Sunday's showdown with Arsenal
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“Yeah, we’ve had to do it already — but only naturally,” Heaton told the Manchester Evening News.
“It’s not just about giving someone a b********g. It’s also about supporting people who need it, making sure we’re guiding things in the right way.
“I think the manager feels strongly about having players with real influence in the dressing room.
"It gives Bruno extra backing in his role as captain, and for me, it’s an honour to be part of it and try to have a positive impact.”
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Amorim explained that the leadership group is responsible for tackling the 'small issues' that cropped up last season, matters he no longer wants to deal with personally.
The fallen giants finished 15th, marking their worst ever Premier League campaign.
“It’s not just Bruno, it’s not just Harry - it’s six guys now,” Amorim said earlier this month.
“They are responsible for the group. There are some things I dealt with last year that I’ve told them, ‘This season, you deal with that.’
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Man United trio Tom Heaton, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are all part of Ruben Amorim's leadership group at Old Trafford
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“We have Bruno, we have Licha, we have Harry, we have Diogo, we have Tom, and we have Nous.
"Nous is in the group because of his character. I try to understand the dynamics of the squad and make sure every corner is covered. They’re the ones who keep everyone in line.”
The United boss also confirmed he has introduced stricter training rules, underpinned by video analysis, to make sure those standards stick.
“We’re not here to treat players like babies,” Amorim said.
“These are grown men, fathers even, but there are rules now — and small rules can make a group strong.
“If you don’t train properly, I’ll show you the footage in front of everyone.
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Man United drew 1-1 with Arsenal in last season's Premier League clash at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes netting a sensational free-kick
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"Not just talk to you privately - I’ll put the images up for the squad to see.
"That takes energy, but this year I have more people to share that responsibility.”
United kick off their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday (4:30pm) as they look to bounce back from last season's shambolic campaign. The same fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in March, with Fernandes' superb free-kick cancelled out by Declan Rice.