Erik ten Hag refuses to comment on Jadon Sancho situation - 'It’s my job to control the standards'

Erik ten Hag refused to discuss Jadon Sancho’s disciplinary situation when speaking to the media on Friday, but spoke about the need for "strict lines" at Manchester United.

This week Sancho has been training away from the United first team squad "pending resolution of a squad discipline issue".

The Dutch manager excluded the England international from his squad for United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal earlier this month, saying that his training performances had been below standard.

Sancho responded by publishing a statement on social media in which he claimed to have been “a scapegoat for a long time".

This week United released a statement saying that Sancho would be on a "personal training programme away from the first team".

The statement added that the decision was made “pending resolution of a squad discipline issue".

Ten Hag remained tight-lipped when asked whether Sancho would feature in United’s Premier League clash with Brighton on Saturday, and instead chose to address the need to uphold standards at the club.

“The club asked me - because there was no good culture before I entered last season - to set some standards and that's what I did. It’s my job to control the standards,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“It’s never been that one person makes one mistake, there’s a whole process before you come to a certain outcome. If players or staff of whoever cross the lines, then you have to be strong.”

When pressed to address Sancho’s situation, Ten Hag replied: “I think everything is said. As I said, the squad is strong, the squad is in good spirit, good mood, [we now] go into the game.

“You have setbacks sometimes in seasons, players are injured or for other reasons are not available. [But we have] constructed a squad and the squad is very good. The players that are available are very motivated to give a good performance.”

There is certainly evidence of Ten Hag enforcing his rules. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Old Trafford exit last December came about after Ten Hag questioned what he brought to the side, while Marcus Rashford – usually a certain starter for United – was benched for a game last season after turning up late for a team meeting.

Sancho has struggled for form and consistency since he joined United from Borussia Dortmund in a £73m move in 2021.

Last season the 23-year-old spent several months out of the first team as he battled physical and mental issues.

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