Soccer

Manchester United back Erik ten Hag as tensions build with Jadon Sancho

Manager unhappy with winger’s performances in training in the last few weeks

Manchester United's forward Jadon Sancho speaks with manager Erik ten Hag. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty
Manchester United's forward Jadon Sancho speaks with manager Erik ten Hag. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty
Dominic Booth
Mon Sept 04 2023 - 14:29

Manchester United are standing by Erik ten Hag’s comments about Jadon Sancho following their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, with the player risking disciplinary action over his social media outburst after the game.

United sources say there is “nothing to add” to the manager’s comments, with Ten Hag revealing after the loss at the Emirates Stadium that he had omitted Sancho from the matchday squad due to “his performances in training”. That prompted a rebuttal from Sancho, who claimed on Twitter that he had been made a “scapegoat”. United and Ten Hag have opted against making a public statement in response to Sancho’s post.

Tensions have been building between Ten Hag and Sancho, with the United manager unhappy with the winger’s performances in training for weeks, leading to the selection of academy prospects Hannibal Mejbri (20) and Dan Gore (18) on the substitutes’ bench ahead of the 23-year-old on Sunday.

Ten Hag afforded Sancho time away from the first-team squad between October and February last season to overcome physical and mental issues, with the United manager personally appointing his own coaches in the Netherlands to help the player get back on track.

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Sancho marked his Premier League return with a goal against Leeds on February 8th but managed just three goals in 25 matches thereafter and hasn’t started a game this season. His United record since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in July 2021 stands at 12 goals in 82 appearances and he has not played for England since October 2021.

Ten Hag has developed a reputation as a disciplinarian since taking the reins at Old Trafford, terminating the contract of Cristiano Ronaldo last year after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which the Portuguese forward said he felt “betrayed” by the manager. This summer he stripped Harry Maguire of the captaincy and released David de Gea, United’s longest-serving player. In December he also left Marcus Rashford on the bench for a game at Wolves after the forward had reported late to a team meeting.

Now Ten Hag has laid down the law with Sancho, believing the player has been provided with the required support to thrive at Old Trafford and has not responded with an acceptable attitude in training. That despite the player’s insistence on Sunday that he has conducted himself well, adding: “I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t get into.” – Guardian