Coach Erik ten Hag has vowed to remove any player from Manchester United’s starting lineup if they do not prove themselves worthy of selection.
For Ten Hag, the “Sancho issue” could apply to any player at MU. The Dutch coach has committed to being extremely “ruthless” with his squad choices this season. With a fairly large squad, Ten Hag feels he can be more stringent about each position.
In the opening match, Jadon Sancho was left out of the 20-man squad for the game against Fulham. Although Sancho was suffering from an ear infection, he was generally fit to play. Therefore, Ten Hag’s decision to omit Sancho has raised questions about the player’s future and the relationship between Ten Hag and Sancho, which had experienced tension last season.
When asked if Sancho might return for the match against Brighton in the second round, Ten Hag did not provide a specific answer but was firm about his team selection approach. “We have a squad where I hope to have two quality options for each position after the transfer window closes on September 1st. This means I can’t include all players in the lineup, but I will need all players throughout the season. This is a very demanding season and only for the strongest,” Ten Hag stated at a press conference before the Brighton match.
He added, “Player attitude is crucial. Sometimes you will be disappointed if you are left out of the lineup. You cannot win with just 11 players. You win with the whole team. Rewards will be determined in May, and all players must be highly motivated.”
“This is not an expectation; it is a demand from the club and from me as the head coach. The team always comes before any individual,” Ten Hag declared.
Last season, Ten Hag was not able to make such strong statements due to the injury crisis that plagued MU, forcing him to deal with a constantly changing lineup. For most of the 2023/24 season, Ten Hag’s main job was to assemble a fit squad from the available players.
However, Ten Hag has yet to establish a solid core. Only three positions—Andre Onana, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes—are firmly secured, while the remaining positions are uncertain due to inconsistent performances or injury risks.
The position alongside Mainoo remains a challenge for Ten Hag throughout the season. Veteran Casemiro is performing well but may struggle to last the entire season. If Ugarte joins MU, he will need time to integrate. Meanwhile, both Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen have been given the green light to leave.
MU’s midfield has consistently struggled with defensive issues from distance. Clearly, Ten Hag has not effectively managed risks in this area. In the match against Fulham, MU faced 7 direct attacks from the opponent, more than any other team in the Premier League‘s opening round.
In summary, none of MU’s three lines have demonstrated high reliability. Ten Hag’s firm stance on potentially removing players from the starting lineup reflects his own uncertainty, as he does not yet have anyone he can trust absolutely
