Manchester United in huge security scare as dressing room bugged and Erik ten Hag recorded
Manchester United drew 0-0 with Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday in their final match before the international break - but a huge security issue at the Midlands club has since been reported
by Alex Richards · The MirrorManchester United's dressing room was BUGGED at Aston Villa - with team-talks and individual player instructions from Erik ten Hag being recorded.
The shocking security breach has left Champions League side Villa to launch an investigation into how the inner sanctuary of the dressing rooms at the stadium were so brazenly invaded ahead of such a massive match.
A prankster has claimed that he hoodwinked staff at the stadium on the Friday - two days before Sunday's goalless draw - snuck in and planted a device in the away dressing room.
It recorded Ten Hag and a host of other conversations, in what could have been the Dutchman's final match as Red Devils boss had he lost, such has been the pressure he's been under after United's dismal start to the Premier League season.
The person at the centre of the prank used a phone from China that has a setting where a microphone can be activated by calling from another device, according to the Sun. The handset was taped out of sight in the United dressing room, wasn't subsequently found when United staff set up the area ahead of the players' arrivals on matchday, and was only rung when the prankster knew Ten Hag and his side would be there going through their pre-match routine.
A source told The Sun, who say they've heard the recordings but won't publish the details of what they heard: “Serious questions will be asked as to how this was allowed to happen. Fortunately, there was nothing sinister to this incident.
“It was just a prankster, who’s actually a United fan, being silly and wanting to hear what was said inside those four walls. But it will definitely be a cause for concern about how they managed to get inside a changing room at one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs just days before a match.”
Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford remains in question, with his side 14th in the Premier League, having taken just eight points from seven games.
But the ex-Ajax boss has remained steadfast and cool on his future, even going on holiday after the Villa game despite the club's hierarchy - led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe - holding a major meeting on Tuesday where Ten Hag's future, and whether or not to part ways, was high on the agenda.
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