Erik ten Hag’s spat with Jadon Sancho is reminiscent of a similar incident with Cristiano Ronaldo a year ago, but the Portuguese superstar apologised to his Manchester United teammates.
Jadon Sancho has been benched at Manchester United by manager Erik ten Hag, mirroring Cristiano Ronaldo’s scenario at Old Trafford a year ago.
Ten Hag has barred winger Sancho from using the club’s facilities, despite efforts by the player’s teammates to encourage him to apologise to the manager. The Red Devils manager is said to be concerned about a disgruntled player spreading criticism and causing discord within his squad.
Ronaldo was also barred from United’s facilities a year ago after yelling and refused to come on as a substitute. Ten Hag utilised the event to show his authority and instill discipline in his squad, a pattern that is currently being repeated this year. However, that incident resulted in Ronaldo apologising to his teammates and being reintegrated back into the squad, something Sancho must now do if he is to save his United career.
After United’s emphatic two-goal triumph over Spurs a year ago, the Portuguese superstar raced down the tunnel at Old Trafford and fled the stadium before his teammates returned to the dressing room.
Ronaldo was requested to come on as a late substitute in the latter stages of the victory, but he refused and left. This incident resulted in Ronaldo’s temporary suspension from first-team training and the ensuing Premier League match against Chelsea.
Ronaldo was heavily chastised for his conduct at the conclusion of that match, with headlines underlining how many of his club teammates were appalled by his actions. It was an incident that aided in the worsening of the forward’s relationship with Ten Hag.
Ronaldo was barred from joining United’s first-team squad for a subsequent Premier League match against Chelsea, and he quit the club a month later after an inflammatory interview in which he lambasted the club and its administration. During his suspension, Ronaldo attempted to reach his locker to retrieve his flip-flops, but Ten Hag refused, forcing a youth-team player to do so.
Ronaldo was never given a run of first-team appearances under Ten Hag, who sanctioned his release from the club in November last year – seven months before his contract was set to expire – after public criticism of the club and management during an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
