Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly clashed with a number of players this season, and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided an exclusive update to GIVEMESPORT on the team’s cohesion.
It’s been a strange season for the Red Devils, who have had some erratic performances in recent months but have still managed to get regular results. United are on the verge of failing to qualify from their Champions League group unless things improve, but they are still in a respectable position in the Premier League.
Ten Hag has dealt with numerous behind-the-scenes issues that are certain to have had an impact on performances, but the Red Devils have managed to gain enough points to sit in fifth position in the Premier League rankings. Performances haven’t always been convincing, and injuries haven’t helped matters.
Despite a recent surge in form, United has had a difficult season. Ten Hag was having trouble getting a tune out of his players at the start of the Premier League season, they’ve already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, and their Champions League group stage hasn’t started off well, to say the least.
Journalist Ben Jacobs earlier told GIVEMESPORT that some of the United squad were not buying into ten Hag’s methods in terms of the culture he was attempting to instill at the club. This has resulted in some unpleasant situations for ten Hag to deal with. Jadon Sancho stated publicly that he thought he was made a’scapegoat’ at Old Trafford after ten Hag benched him against Arsenal in September, with the Dutch manager questioning his work ethic in training. The former Borussia Dortmund player is yet to return to the squad.
Raphael Varane’s relationship with ten Hag is also said to have soured after they held showdown talks, with the former Real Madrid defender falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Varane hasn’t started a Premier League match since September, with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans gaining places ahead of him.
Romano claims that the mood in the Manchester United dressing room has improved significantly since the club resumed winning games on a regular basis. According to the Italian journalist, the only problem left to fix in terms of any disagreements between players and ten Hag is Sancho, and this will be a priority for a future new sporting director and CEO. When asked if United were concerned about ten Hag clashing with players, Romano told GIVEMESPORT.
“Right now, no, honestly. I believe Manchester United’s situation has improved after a difficult few weeks. They are now winning games, and I believe the atmosphere in the dressing room is fairly positive. So the only issue to deal with is the one involving Jadon Sancho. Obviously, it will be a priority in the coming weeks to clarify that tale for the incoming sporting director and CEO, and it will be critical to discuss Jadon Sancho with Erik ten Hag and the coaching staff. However, the situation with the other players is relatively quiet. I’m not hearing of any severe problems. I’d say the problem is under control for the time being.”
Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports told GIVEMESPORT earlier this month that there doesn’t appear to be a settlement in sight between Sancho and ten Hag, implying that he’ll leave in the January transfer window. According to MailOnline, Serie A club Juventus has offered the England international a way out of Old Trafford and has made touch about a possible loan move when the winter transfer window opens.
Journalist Jacobs also told GIVEMESPORT that Varane would be open to a move to Italy, while a move to Bayern Munich could be on the cards, with the German club in the market for a centre-back. The French defender could be part of a big exodus at Old Trafford, with the club aiming to unload 15 players in the next two transfer windows, including Varane.