Exclusive: Erik ten Hag's Controversial Discipline Tactics Amid Ongoing Jadon Sancho Stand-off - Unveiling the Inside Story
Jadon Sancho trains separately from Man Utd's first team after a clash with Erik ten Hag The manager defends his disciplinary actions Follow the live blog for Man Utd vs Brighton and catch the match highlights later
Erik ten Hag has justified his strict disciplinary actions at Manchester United, stating that the club had a "lack of positive culture" prior to his arrival in the previous year.
In the past two weeks, since the match against Arsenal on September 3, Jadon Sancho has been instructed to train separately from the main team due to his public confrontation with Ten Hag. Additionally, Antony has postponed his return to training after the international break due to accusations of assault.
Ten Hag has insisted that Sancho must apologize to both him and the club before being allowed to play for United under his management. In response, Sancho has chosen not to comply with Ten Hag's request for an apology, arguing that he has the right to address the criticism that was publicly expressed and viewed as a challenge to his professionalism.
During his pre-match press conference ahead of United's clash with Brighton on Saturday, Ten Hag emphasized the significance of effectively managing the varying personalities within the squad. He underscored that no member has faced severe repercussions for a single mistake. Asserting the importance of team unity and dynamics, Ten Hag stated that the collective takes precedence over individual interests.
Within the team, every individual fulfills their designated roles and possesses distinct characteristics. Managing these diverse personalities is crucial, but the overarching priority remains the team's unity.
Due to the absence of a strong culture prior to my arrival last season, the club approached me to establish certain benchmarks. Consequently, it falls upon me to maintain and enforce these standards.
It's not just a single mistake that leads to crossing strict boundaries; it involves a series of actions and individuals, such as staff and players. If there is a structure in place for crossing lines, one has to be resolute and unwavering. When asked directly if Sancho would wear the United shirt again, Ten Hag responded, "I cannot say for certain. At this moment, my attention is on the upcoming crucial game and the packed schedule of matches ahead."
"Due to his unavailability, his contribution is currently irrelevant. However, players can privately approach Ten Hag to discuss his decisions, although they should refrain from publicly criticizing him or the club, or expressing their frustrations."
Sources in close proximity to Sancho believe that he has faced unjust treatment and that the club has displayed inconsistent enforcement of its regulations, showcasing preferential treatment towards certain members of the team.
Nevertheless, United's response claims that Ten Hag's application of football-related discipline has been impartial, extending to Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Alejandro Garnacho whenever they have violated the necessary rules or standards.
United's shortage of options on the right wing is evident due to the absence of Sancho and Antony. The remaining wide options include Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, and Marcus Rashford, with Bruno Fernandes also capable of playing on the left. Ten Hag expressed confidence in the team despite the setbacks, emphasizing the strength, spirit, and motivation of the available players.
Asked when he expects to see Antony back at United, Ten Hag said: "No idea. Of course, he's disappointed but he is ok."
'Maguire treatment is crazy - he has to block it out'
Ten Hag also came to the defense of Harry Maguire, the defender who faced criticism after his tough week with the English national team.
During Tuesday night's friendly win against Scotland, Maguire was relentlessly jeered by the audience and even scored an own goal in the second half. England manager Gareth Southgate attributed this harsh treatment to "people in our own country," labeling it as an "absolute joke."
Maguire, who faced similar jeering from Arsenal fans during his last Premier League match, claims he can tolerate the criticism. However, his mother took to social media to express that the treatment extended beyond the realm of football.
When questioned about Maguire's ordeal, Ten Hag expressed, "I have reiterated multiple times that this behavior lacks respect. He is undeserving of such treatment. It's absurd, but unfortunately, it's a part of the game. Harry must overcome this by showcasing outstanding performances."
What Ten Hag and Sancho said about each other
"Looking at his career, it has been truly remarkable. He still has a lot more to offer, and he must secure his future through consistent stellar performances," mentioned Ten Hag in reference to Sancho's absence from the squad for the Arsenal match.
"Reaching the level at Manchester United is a daily requirement. As a result, choices can be made regarding the front line. In this game, he was not selected."
"However, following Ten Hag's comments in the post-match press conference, Sancho took to X, previously known as Twitter, to make a statement: "Please refrain from believing everything you read!"
I will not tolerate false statements being made about me. I have demonstrated exceptional conduct during my training this week.
I firmly believe that there are additional factors at play in this situation which I will not discuss further. I have been unfairly targeted as a scapegoat for an extended period of time, and this is unjust!
"All I want to do is to play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team."
Sancho has since deleted his social media post on X.
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