Ten Hag victim of ‘SHOCKING security breach’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 12 Oct 2024 10:13 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United find themselves in the midst of another storm of controversy as it has emerged that prior to their clash against Aston Villa their dressing room was bugged.

The Sun reports that a “shocking security breach” took place prior to the scoreless draw at Villa Park last Sunday, with “a prankster” having cheated his way into the dressing room to plant a listening device to spy on Erik ten Hag’s side.

The subsequent draw in Birmingham means that the Red Devils have been consigned to their poorest start in Premier League history, going into the international break 14th in the table, having won only two of their seven fixtures.

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Ten Hag has found himself under incredible pressure over the course of the last week, with Man Utd not making a statement regarding his future at the club.

Now it has emerged that the Dutchman’s instructions before, during and after the Premier League clash with Aston Villa were recorded.

The Sun claims to have heard these discussions but has chosen not to publish them.

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An unnamed source told the paper: “This is a shocking breach of security and some 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.”

How was the prank pulled off?

It is claimed that the person that pulled off the stunt used a phone that has a setting whereby a microphone can be activated by calling it. The phone had been taped to a location out of sight and was called when the Man Utd team were in the dressing room.

It is even believed that they returned the following day to pick it up.

Manchester United will next play Brentford on Saturday, 19 October, with Ten Hag still looking likely to be in charge.