Leadership group about more than tough love - Heaton

Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton (right) plays pool with team-mate Luke Shaw at the club's revamped training ground

Manchester United's new six-man leadership group has already delivered its first 'mild' rebuke – but Tom Heaton says it will offer support as much as the occasional telling off.

Heaton, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and skipper Bruno Fernandes have been appointed to the group by Ruben Amorim.

United's head coach wants the dressing room to run itself to take some of the strain away from the coaching staff.

As the elder statesman of Amorim's squad, 39-year-old Heaton is a natural fit for the group.

But the aim is not just to maintain order and keep discipline, even if that side of the job has already been in evidence.

"Yes, but only naturally," said Heaton, when asked if a telling off had already been handed out.

"I think it's important that it's both sides.

"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 (Amorim) feels quite strongly about having a group of players that have a strong influence on the dressing room and provides a little bit of support to Bruno.

"I am obviously honoured as ever to be part of that and will try to have as much influence on it as I possibly can."