Why has Erik ten Hag excluded Jadon Sancho from Man Utd squad?

It has been far from quiet at Old Trafford in recent weeks and Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag may have found it difficult to prepare for Brighton this weekend with all the off-field issues at the Premier League club.

On Friday, Ten Hag said he had to exclude Jadon Sancho from the United squad because he needs to set strict lines as there was “no good culture” before he arrived.

The English winger is not training with the first-team squad as he awaits the outcome of an internal disciplinary process after he was omitted from the squad for the 3-1 away defeat to Arsenal when Ten Hag publicly said his efforts in training were not up to the required standard.

Sancho’s response

Sancho responded to the Dutchman’s comment with a tweet after the loss to the Gunners, saying he was made a scapegoat. The former Borussia Dortmund attacker has since deleted the tweet that he had initially pinned to his personal profile.

Ten Hag said: “Strict lines is the point, it is what the club asked me because there was no good culture before I entered last season.

“So to set good standards, that is what I did. That is my job: to control the standards. Of course, it is never someone only makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines. If [it is] staff or players or whoever, there is a structure to cross lines so you have to be strong.”

Manchester United vs Brighton

Antony out

Brazilian winger Antony will also miss the game against Brighton on Saturday as he has been given a leave of absence while he addresses allegations against him.

Ten Hag added: “The squad is strong, in good spirits and a good mood going into the game. You have sometimes setbacks in seasons, players who 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.”