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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag orders dugout change at Old Trafford

Manchester United are switching dugouts at Old Trafford at Erik ten Hag's behest.

Ten Hag recommended the home dugout be switched to the west section of the stadium earlier this month and United have agreed to his request ahead of their home friendly with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Since the dugouts were raised with step access in the early 90s, United have occupied the east section and are relocating after 30 years.

Read more: 'He has an aura about him' - how Ten Hag has impressed players and staff

United will be closer to the Stretford End, where United's singing section is located, as well as substitutes who warm up on the west touchline.

The away dugout will be closer to the away supporters, housed in the south-east corner of Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson had the stadium dugouts revamped in the first years of his reign to provide him with a tactical vantage point. Ferguson used to watch the first-half of away matches from the directors' box in the 90s.

Ten Hag visited Old Trafford for the first time in his life in May when he was introduced to the press. Ten Hag was given a tour of the stadium by United football director John Murtough.

United wrote in a statement: "In a new lay-out agreed with Erik, the home and away dugouts have been permanently switched so that the United manager, staff and substitutes will now be sat in the seats to the west of the halfway line – the dugout previously occupied by the away team.

"Erik approved the move after visiting Old Trafford for the first time in May and noting how the old away dugout was closer to the tunnel, and to the half of the pitch where substitutes warm up."

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