Erik Ten Hag Explains ‘Strict’ Discipline Amid Sancho Spat 

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, on Friday said that the team wanted him to take a tough position with his players following his altercation with Jadon Sancho.

Sancho is working separately from the rest of the team after retaliating to Ten Hag’s criticism of his performances in training, but the manager would not elaborate on their disagreement. However, he claimed that because standards had been allowed to lapse under his predecessors, he had to implement a tough discipline with players.

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“Strict lines is what the club asked me because there was no good culture before last season so to set good standards, that is what I did and it is my job to control the standards,” Ten Hag told a press conference on Friday. “It is never someone makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines. There is a structure to cross lines so you have to be strong.”

Ten Hag is without Sancho as well as Antony for the next few games. The Brazilian was given a leave of absence from training and matches while he deals with accusations of assault against him by multiple women. Ten Hag said the winger was “upset” about the situation but was ok, although he said he had “no idea” when he will return. “You have sometimes setbacks in seasons, players are injured or for other reasons are not available so you construct a squad and the squad is very good and the players who are available and motivated to give a good performance.”

On Saturday, United will host high-flying Brighton as they continue their Premier League campaign.