Manchester United players criticize ten Hag's harsh punishments on Ronaldo and Sancho
- Erik ten Hag faced multiple conflicts with players, notably Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, during his tenure at Manchester United.
- Both players experienced significant punishments that were perceived as excessive by some senior team members, leading to public disputes.
- Ten Hag's harsh approach to player management ultimately contributed to his dismissal and the subsequent loan of Sancho to Chelsea.
The dismissal of Erik ten Hag as Manchester United's manager in October 2024 marked the end of a turbulent period at the club, characterized by significant player-management conflicts. Ten Hag's strict disciplinary measures included controversial punishments for stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, which were seen as excessive by some senior players. Ronaldo's public fallout with the manager began in October 2022, leading to his contract termination and departure to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The situation with Sancho escalated when he was excluded from the squad due to concerns over his training performance. Sancho responded to the manager's actions by accusing Ten Hag of making him a 'scapegoat' and faced a lengthy exclusion from first-team activities as a result. Senior players reportedly felt that Ten Hag's demands for public apologies from Sancho were unwarranted, further intensifying the internal conflicts. As Sancho was loaned to Borussia Dortmund in early 2024, he demonstrated his skills by helping the team reach the Champions League final. However, Ten Hag's authority came into question, making his return to the squad uncomfortable, leading to a second loan to Chelsea with an option to buy. In light of the controversies and poor team performance, Ten Hag's dismissal underscored the challenges in managing high-profile players within a competitive football club setting.