Man United suffer security scare with 'dressing room bugged'
by Michael Pavitt · Mail OnlineManchester United were reportedly victims of a major security breach amid claims their dressing room was bugged by a prankster.
A prankster has allegedly claimed they planted a hidden device in the dressing room at Villa Park two days before Man United faced Aston Villa on October 6.
The Sun reported that the device was used to record under-fire manager Erik ten Hag's team talks to his squad.
The report claims Ten Hag's team talk and instructions to players were audible in the recording.
Man United played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa, leaving the Red Devils with their worst start to a Premier League season.
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'This is a shocking breach of security and some serious questions will be asked as to how this was allowed to happen,' a source was quoted by The Sun.
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'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.'
It is claimed the prankster activated the microphone by calling it from another device having sticky taped in a hidden location in the dressing room.
The prankster is said to have come to collect the device the following day.
Aston Villa have reportedly launched an investigation into the incident.
Ten Hag remains under pressure at Man United with the draw at Villa Park leaving the Premier League giants with just eight points from their opening seven matches.
The Red Devils had come into the match at Villa Park following a 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham and a chaotic midweek 3-3 draw in the Europa League to Porto.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was among the Man United hierarchy in attendance at the match, which came ahead of planned board meetings at the club this week.
Ten Hag's future was among the topics discussed at a six-hour executive committee meeting on Tuesday in Knightsbridge.