Erik ten Hag battled through so much adversity during his reign as Manchester United manager that it was a miracle he left having lifted two major trophies in as many years. The Dutchman had run-ins with multiple high-profile players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea, Harry Maguire and, last but not least, Jadon Sancho.
On September 3, 2023, emotions were high after VAR denied United a late 2-1 victory at Arsenal, adjudging Alejandro Garnacho to be offside before netting what looked to be a stunning winner.
A 96th-minute strike by Declan Rice and 101st-minute dagger from Gabriel Jesus switched that 2-1 win into a 3-1 defeat to leave a sour taste in Ten Hag’s mouth.
However, the headline drama of the day occurred post-match when the then-United manager revealed that Sancho was missing due to his training performance.
Shortly after, the 24-year-old winger essentially called his boss a liar on X, claiming he was being made into a “scapegoat” for poor results.
It was a shocking twist, considering Ten Hag had afforded Sancho three months away from football midway through the previous season to work on his physical and mental health.
And it was the beginning of the end for Sancho. He refused to apologise for his social media antics, earning him a banishment from the first team until January.
The England international returned from a loan return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer after his former club opted against signing him permanently.
Sancho enjoyed a bright pre-season after burying the hatchet with Ten Hag, but his absence from the first two squads of the season was a reality check.
His final act in a United shirt, missing a decisive penalty in the Community Shield to help Manchester City claim victory, was a fitting send-off as he joined Chelsea on an initial loan.
Sancho’s start at Stamford Bridge didn’t soften the scrutiny on Ten Hag’s position. The Londoner looked at home as he provided assists in his first three Premier League games.
But the 16 that followed have harvested just two goals and one assist, and Chelsea fans are growing disgruntled at his role in Enzo Maresca’s first season entering free fall.
Players tend to shine once the pressure of donning the United shirt in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era is lifted from their shoulders.
Scott McTominay is already a fan favourite at Napoli. Antony has blown away Real Betis in the early stages of his loan stint. They are just two of the most recent examples.
But, barring his early purple patch, Sancho hasn’t fit into that category, sliding a feather into a certain football coach’s cap as he watches on from the Netherlands.
The £73million flop’s apparent desire to aim sly digs at his parent club on social media rather than win over his new fans doesn’t harm Ten Hag’s judgement.
United will be “free” from Sancho’s drama soon. Chelsea will be obliged to sign him in a £m deal in the summer, which should turn out to be one of the best Ten Hag sanctioned.
