Erik ten Hag is wrestling with the culture at Manchester United. Jadon Sancho can apparently lift his ban himself at any time
After an international break that had it all for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag’s press conference on Friday was eagerly anticipated. The coach skirted the awkward topics – Jadon Sancho’s ban, Antony’s absence over domestic violence allegations – as best he could. But the coach did bring a few messages.
“It’s about strict lines,” he explained evasively when asked repeatedly about the situation surrounding Sancho, who is only allowed to train individually until further notice. “The club asked me to set some standards because the culture before last season was not good. And that’s what I did. My job is to control the standards. “
After being left out of the squad for the away game at Arsenal (1-2), Sancho had attacked ten Hag via X (formerly Twitter), indirectly accusing him of lying after the latter justified the non-consideration with a lack of training performance. The ex-Dortmund player has since deleted the post, but he has not escaped a ban: serious media such as “The Athletic” and BBC report that Sancho has refused to apologise. Accordingly, he may only return when he is ready to do so.
When Antony will return? “I don’t know “
Ten Hag did not confirm any of this, but hinted that it was not Sancho’s first offence. He said the “strict lines” were not about “making a mistake” once in a while. “It’s more a whole process before you come to a certain conclusion, which is about strict lines. If the staff, the players or whoever crosses the lines, you have to be strict, absolutely.”
Antony will be missing for the crucial home game against Brighton, in which ManUnited will be looking to avoid conceding a third defeat in their fifth game, alongside Sancho and the injured Raphael Varane and Mason Mount. The Brazilian remains on leave to deal with private matters: He faces massive domestic violence allegations, all of which he denies. When he will return? “No idea,” said ten Hag, who only had to report: “He’s disappointed, but he’s okay. “
