Louis van Gaal has ordered 26ft-high fences to be built around pitches at Manchester United’s training ground.

The security-conscious manager, who has overseen a major revamp of the 44-hectare Aon Training Complex since arriving two years ago, wants to add yet another barrier to prying eyes.

A planning application has been lodged with Trafford council for permission to put up eight fences around four training pitches, a warm-up area and a goalkeepers’ training area.

Louis van Gaal has ordered 26ft fences to keep spies away from Manchester United training sessions

The United boss believes the fences will provide greater privacy while also improving appearance

Van Gaal has made several changes to the club's Aon Training Complex since his arrival

Within the proposal, United say the fencing — a mix of 26ft and 16ft high structures which will be made up predominantly of rebound boards and mesh — will ‘provide additional privacy to first-team training and improve the overall appearance of the training centre’.

Van Gaal had already banned staff from parking within sight of the first-team training pitch when he was working with his players and, in October last year, a green canvas screen was erected to keep sessions under wraps.

Last September, it emerged that United officials had asked security staff to sweep the team meeting room at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel ahead of their clash with Liverpool. However, that move was thought to be down to the behaviour of pranksters, rather than snooping Premier League opponents.

The Dutchman's changes include training pitches to match Old Trafford dimensions and floodlights

Van Gaal shakes hands with Claudio Ranieri shortly before Leicester were crowned champions

The diligent Dutchman also ensured that training pitches at Carrington mirror the dimensions and grass length of the Old Trafford turf, while floodlights were installed so he could put his charges through their paces at night to prepare for evening kick-offs.

In addition, non-football staff now eat their meals in a separate room, rather than alongside the players in the canteen.