By Daniel Edu
Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag, recently spoke about the challenges he has faced in trying to instill discipline and a strong culture at the club since taking over in 2022. He mentioned that upon his arrival, he found that there was no “good culture” in place at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag stated that the club’s owners had instructed him to be strict with the players, and he has been working towards fulfilling that mandate.
This discussion comes in the wake of the news that Jadon Sancho will be training separately from the first team until his issues with the Dutch coach are resolved. Earlier in August, Ten Hag had omitted Sancho from the Manchester United squad for a match against Arsenal, citing concerns about the player’s performance during training.
Sancho responded to Ten Hag’s comments by suggesting that he was being made a “scapegoat.” This situation is reminiscent of Ten Hag’s decision to sideline Cristiano Ronaldo last summer after the Portuguese star publicly criticized the Dutch coach and the club’s owners.
In preparation for the upcoming Manchester United vs. Brighton match, Ten Hag emphasized his responsibility to maintain high standards and strict lines of discipline. He explained that the club had asked him to do so because there was a lack of a strong culture before his arrival.
Ten Hag acknowledged that it’s not just about one mistake but rather a process that leads to enforcing strict standards. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a structured approach and being resolute when individuals cross established boundaries.
The Dutch manager’s comments highlight his commitment to reshaping the culture and discipline within the Manchester United team.
