Following Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Departures, Manager Stresses Need for Commitment and Team Unity
In a clear message to his current Manchester United squad, manager Erik ten Hag has issued a stern warning, cautioning players that they could face a similar fate to departed stars Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo if their attitude is not up to par. Sancho’s loan move back to Borussia Dortmund has been confirmed after being banished from the first-team squad due to a public fallout with the manager in September. Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s contract was terminated in December 2022 following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, where he criticized Ten Hag and the club’s owners.
Ten Hag’s uncompromising approach to disciplining players has sparked both support and criticism among fans, with some applauding his decisive actions and others questioning the swift removal of key players, especially given the team’s 14 defeats this season. Despite the divided opinions, Ten Hag has now warned the rest of the squad that any deviation from the expected standards of behavior could result in expulsion.
Speaking about the importance of commitment and hunger, Ten Hag stated, “If you want to perform, you need hungry players—players with personalities who are hungry to fight for the badge and for this club. And they need to do this in a team.” He clarified that his approach is not about enforcing discipline but rather demanding normal behavior from top professionals.
Despite the mounting pressure on his position, with Manchester United currently lying in ninth place, nine points off the top four, and out of European competitions, Ten Hag remains defiant. He brushed off suggestions that he is feeling the heat, asserting, “It’s not difficult for me because I expected from the start of this season that the process can go negative, and as a manager, you have to stay positive and get the process back in the right direction.”
With Sancho temporarily off the books, United is expected to make further moves in the January transfer window. Players like Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are also rumored to be potentially released, considering they can otherwise leave for free when their contracts expire in the summer. The manager remains focused on salvaging the season, emphasizing the need for pragmatism, individual improvement, and team development to turn the results around.
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