Erik ten Hag hosts barbecue for his players and their families as the Man United boss seeks to build unity following a tough start to the season

Erik ten Hag underlined the importance of team spirit at Manchester United by organizing a barbecue for his players and their families in Carrington on Sunday.

The talk at Old Trafford during a bumpy start to the season was about unity and fostering the same cohesion that served United well during Ten Hag’s first season in charge. The Dutchman also wanted to thank the families of the players and staff for their support.

The United squad turned up for the day, which was well received by the players following an equally popular club-wide event at Old Trafford last month.

The families were treated to what was described as a healthy barbecue, with a number of activities for the children including a bouncy castle, face painting and entertainers.

Ten Hag is said to have walked around the room chatting with family members and thanking them for the sacrifices they make to help the players be their best.

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The event was due to be scheduled several weeks ago and the morale-boosting win over Burnley on Saturday evening meant it was a bull’s eye.

It has taken some of the tension off Ten Hag after a difficult start in which United lost four of their first six games. However, three of those defeats have come to Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Tottenham, and United will be hoping to pick up where they left off with a run of more winnable games.

After winning at Turf Moor thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ excellent volley, United play Crystal Palace at home in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League, before playing Galatasaray, Brentford, Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen.