Erik ten Hag has had to deal with his fair share of dressing room drama as Manchester United manager.
Between Cristiano Ronaldo’s damaging interview, the takeover saga and the fallout with Jadon Sancho, the Dutchman has not had an easy ride.
However, Manchester United have shown their faith in Erik ten Hag by offering him a new contract, and with new ownership behind him they will hope to kick on next season.
The Red Devils have already backed him in the transfer window with the signing of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, and they are also close to finalising a deal for highly-rated Arsenal youngster Chido Obi-Martin.
Ten Hag has also welcomed Sancho back into first-team training despite his fallout with the 24-year-old winger last season that ended with him being loaned out to Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho has featured in United’s pre-season friendlies against Arsenal and Rangers this summer as he is slowly reintegrated into Ten Hag’s plans.
Alan Pardew on Jadon Sancho next season
It seems – at least from a distance – that Ten Hag and Sancho have settled their differences and are focusing on the upcoming season.
But it is difficult to see how Sancho could force his way into the United squad with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and now Amad Diallo all fighting for the same positions.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Pardew predicts that another “bust-up” between Ten Hag and Sancho is inevitable this season.
“Sancho, for me, is a big problem,” he said. “They ostracised each other, he went to social media and he hasn’t really apologised for that.
“He went to Dortmund and did brilliantly, but he plays on the right-hand side for Dortmund and he’s never going to get a game there.
“So I think we’re going to come back to exactly the same problem with the manager and Sancho after the first 10 games if he’s still there.
“He’s not going to start and then there will be friction again and there will be another bust-up. I can’t see that resolving itself unfortunately.”
Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United
Heading into the summer it looked as though Sancho’s career at Old Trafford was all but over.
However, HITC revealed that Sancho took the initiative and held talks with club chiefs to settle the tension.
There was interest from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund over a move for Sancho this summer, but it is now unclear whether he will leave United or be reintegrated by Ten Hag.
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