Erik ten Hag stamped his mark on Manchester United by introducing five strict rules on the players – some of which Jadon Sancho would appear to have broken.
Sancho has been training away from the rest of the first-team squad after a public spat with his manager following United’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League.
The Red Devils boss claimed that the winger had not been part of the matchday squad due to his performances in training.
Sancho then responded with a lengthy social media post refuting his manager’s comments, believing he was being used as a ‘scapegoat’.
The club have since confirmed that the 23-year-old is training separately while the ‘disciplinary issue’ is dealt with.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s strict rules upon taking the job at Old Trafford have resurfaced, with Sancho allegedly guilty of breaking a few.
According to The Mirror, Ten Hag’s five commandments consisted of the following:
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Thou shalt be dropped if thou is late for training or team meetings
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Thou shalt not drink alcohol in gameweeks
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Thou shalt eat what is prepared by the club (personal chefs are banned)
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Thou’s BMI shalt be checked monthly
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Thou shalt complain to Ten Hag rather than agents
It has been suggested that Sancho had trouble keeping to the first rule, with the club having set him an arrival time of at least one hour earlier than the rest of the first team squad to ensure he made it to Carrington on time each day.
In addition, Sancho arguably broke rule no. 5. Instead of taking up the matter privately with his manager, Sancho launched a public defence of his actions, effectively branding Ten Hag’s statements untrue.
One may argue that the former Borussia Dortmund player had every right to prove his innocence bearing in mind Ten Hag’s initial comments were said in a public press conference. But when looking at the rules, it is reasonable to see how the club have found themselves in this position.
