28 September 2023 , 09:20
898
0
Jamie Carragher has warned Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag he "can't afford to lose this fight" with Jadon Sancho.
The winger has been exiled from all first-team facilities by Ten Hag after refusing to apologise to the manager over their public spat. Following United's 3-1 loss to Arsenal earlier this month, Ten Hag was asked why Sancho had not been included in the matchday squad and said it was down to his poor performances in training.
"On his performance on training we didn't select him," he explained. "You have to reach the level every day at Manchester United. You can make choices in the front line, so in this game he wasn't selected."
However, Sancho was not happy with Ten Hag's comments and hit back at the Dutchman on social media, posting a now deleted statement accusing him of lying. Sancho said: "Please don't believe everything you read!
"I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue. I have conducted myself in training very well this week. I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won't go into.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
"I have been a scapegoat for a long time which isn't fair! All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players... I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what."
Sancho's future at Old Trafford is in serious doubt, with both him and Ten Hag refusing to budge. And Carragher has sided with the United manager, stating that he must now stick to his guns.
Jadon Sancho has refused to apologise to Erik ten Hag (Manchester United via Getty Images)"Ten Hag almost can't afford to lose this fight," Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast. "He's come out and I don't think it's massive what he said in the press conference after the game.
"He's been asked a question why Sancho isn't in the squad, and the answer is he hasn't trained right. Because Erik ten Tag is going through a really difficult spell – Man United haven't started the season well – we say 'he's losing the dressing room' but if he was winning, we'd be saying 'he's ruthless, he's dealt with the situation and sent a message to the dressing room'.
"I'm always with the manager on this. It's not even heavy criticism – has he been training right? He's been awful – he's been really poor considering how much he cost Manchester United and his reputation."