Man Utd 'b*llocking' already dished out as Ruben Amorim's new six-player leadership group takes charge of Red Devils dressing room

In a bid to manage the United dressing, Amorim has revived an old leadership tradition and formed a leadership group, comprising of players like Tom Heaton, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire from the 30-plus age group, while from the twenties, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui have been selected.

On forming the new leadership group, manager Amorim said: "They are responsible for the group. There are some things that in the last year I had to deal with. I said to them this year, you deal with that. Small issues are with you guys. You are responsible. All these small changes, I think it's helping the group."

Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, who will turn 40 next year, signed a new one-year deal and continues to remain a prominent voice in the dressing room. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Heaton was asked whether a 'b*llocking' had been given.

"Yes, but only naturally," he replied. "It's not just about delivering sort of b*llockings as you put it. I think it's also about supporting people that need it, trying to make sure we're guiding it and channelling it in the right way."

He added: "I think [Amorim] feels quite strongly about having a group of players that have a strong influence on the dressing room. it provides a little bit of support to Bruno in that respect. That's how it came about and obviously honoured as ever to be part of that and try and have as much influence on it as I possibly can."

Portuguese full-back Dalot is elated to accept the new leadership role in the dressing room as he said: "It obviously brings you even more responsibility. But I think one of the reasons why that happened is because of the way I am. So I try to be the same person, but obviously it brings you even more responsibility because we're talking about a very good group of players with different personalities that I think we can try to create a culture where we demand the maximum from our teammates, from ourselves as well.

"But we have to be the first ones to give the example. I think that's the best way that I like to lead also. We have to be the first ones to show to everyone where we want to put the club back on top and then try to put everyone in the same. Like we say in Portugal, everyone is in the same boat."

United will begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign this Sunday as they host rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford.