Manchester United's dressing room 'bugged' in bizarre security breach ahead of Aston Villa clash
by Danielle de Wolfe · LBCBy Danielle de Wolfe
Security has been tightened around Manchester United after a bug was discovered in the team's dressing room following their clash with Aston Villa.
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The bizarre security breach allegedly saw Erik ten Hag recorded as he gave a team talk in the away dressing room at Aston Villa ahead of their final clash before the international break.
Ten Hag's team instructions are reported to have "clearly" been heard by the prankster in the recording, according to reports.
The prankster is said to have used a phone from China that has a setting where its microphone can be remotely activated by calling from another device, a source told The Sun.
However the source said the prankster was only "being silly" and that "nothing sinister" was intended.
The shocking breach has left Champions League side Villa under the spotlight as an investigation was launched into how the breach could occured at the heart of the club.
It's claimed the handset was found taped out of sight in United's dressing room.
The prankster is said to have "hoodwinked" security into gaining access to the dressing room, reportedly even returning to Villa Park a week later to collect the device.
The device wasn't found when United's backroom staff set up the dressing room ahead of the players' arrivals.
The prankster is said to have only called the device when he knew Ten Hag was in the dressing room and knew the away side would be there going through their pre-match routine.
The source told The Sun: “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.
Adding: "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 comes as Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has expressed his shock and sadness at the death of his former player George Baldock who passed away at the age of 31.
Baldock, a former Sheffield United defender, was found dead in a swimming pool at his home in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday.