Manchester 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.
Ubong12
0
don't type nonsense Trump for what? if you're not Manchester united fan go to hell
You can as well come snatch my phone,...nonsense!!, go sack him yourself,
Wasciktz
0
To ETH , a draw is a win , a win is a dream , a loss is is almost there . Eth should wake up His ideas , during the break and think carefully. 600million he spent . Almost a brand new team .
Febbdemp
0
Aston villa must be punished for this and points must also be deducted
and the deducted points must be awarded to man united
Fitbcemnz
0
And who should go replace him, Donald Trump or Elon musk??
don't type nonsense Trump for what? if you're not Manchester united fan go to hell
nahadmtuz
0
Why waste time writing ✍️ or talking about Erik et hag, just look 👀 for another Coach, ETH has destroyed players and he is a Useless Coach ever seen,since he came to Manchester United.
Wiabeloptz
0
Aston villa must be punished for this and points must also be deducted
clown
Ubong12
0
Ten hag should have been sacked at the beginning if the season
And who should go replace him, Donald Trump or Elon musk??
Ubong12
3
This should be taken seriously be it a prank or not; It's an inconvenience to any team visiting Aston villa henceforth, the so-called prankstar should be called to question regardless of his a "United fan or not",... What goes around the team in the locker room are supposed to be secured and safe, i don't buy this idea of handling this issue as soft as i'm reading it here.
Kesadlor
0
the top management of manU want to know what ETH is doing in the dressing room ✌️🤣
Sotiklnpuz
0
Am equally surpprised at how some fans have taken this Ten Hag issue personal as if they spend even a penny on Man utd and yet they are just supporters for goodness sake 😔😔 let's be real, the players have let this club down, how many managers have you changed and nothing is working so the problem is with the playing staff not management
not necessarily.. the managers keep getting worse
Sotiklnpuz
0
Aston villa must be punished for this and points must also be deducted
but it was a united fan.. maybe united should be punished and points deducted as well
Fitbcemnz
5
Aston villa must be punished for this and points must also be deducted
baturejega
1
nobody knows the problem of Manchester United now the club is on the way of deteriorating at all.
Naaacdlmps
5
Am equally surpprised at how some fans have taken this Ten Hag issue personal as if they spend even a penny on Man utd and yet they are just supporters for goodness sake 😔😔 let's be real, the players have let this club down, how many managers have you changed and nothing is working so the problem is with the playing staff not management
Vicsammy
0
Ten hag should have been sacked at the beginning if the season
Lol 😂 How was that Ten hag fault, All this Fans everything Ten hag 😆
Fedabeklou
2
Ten hag should have been sacked at the beginning if the season
Yoebdekpuy
2
Manchester United has been embarrassed too much 😫😫