There has been a definite shift in Erik ten Hag’s treatment of the media as Manchester United’s results have declined throughout a dismal second season in the Old Trafford dugout.
Whether banning certain reporters from certain publications or describing the narrative surrounding that FA Cup collapse against Coventry City as a ‘disgrace‘, the embattled boss has certainly begun baring his teeth in recent months.
Ahead of Monday’s trip to a rejuvenated Crystal Palace side, the Manchester United manager this time took aim at the reports suggesting that only ten members of the current Red Devils squad – including Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund – are ‘guaranteed’ to be at the club when the summer window closes in September.
This is not to say, of course, that United will look to fillet their squad and rack up departures into the double figures. It is not that Ineos will sell all but those chosen ten, but more that they are open to offers for any of them.
No one is safe these days. And, in truth, that is probably how it should be following a campaign in which only a handful of players have performed to the very best of their abilities.
Still, Erik Ten Hag was certainly unwilling to pour any fuel on the fire when the suggestion of a brutal cull was brought up, dismissing the prospect of the Old Trafford dressing room enduring it’s very own ‘Red Wedding’ moment.
Ten Hag reacts to Manchester United cull reports
“It’s a joke,” Ten Hag retorts. “As long as I’ve worked, every summer, every window, 200 players getting interest from Manchester United…
“We did some research, and also every summer we (reportedly plan to) sell all of the players in our squad, which you make all of the headlines (about). That takes responsibility, how you make such a headline.
“Find a good source if there is some truth in it.”
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The fact is, however, that if United are genuine about their ambitions to bring in a centre-forward, a midfielder and a centre-half or two, player sales may be nothing short of necessary. Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, both out of contract, will all-but certainly depart, as two of United’s highest earners.
That fleet of players farmed out on loan in January – including Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho, Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez – will likely be made available as well, although finding a buyer may be easier said than done.
Jadon Sancho is one Ineos will look to sell
Sancho was outstanding in Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 Champions League semi-final win over PSG on Wednesday. But sporting director Sebastian Kehl has already admitted that financing a permanent deal for a man who set United back £73 million in 2021 may be beyond the Bundesliga giants.
“Jadon is not the old Jadon yet,” Kehl told Sport1 in March. “But he can’t be after not playing for six months. You have to give him time. He is a difference-maker and will be very important for us this season.
“In the end, it will take money (to sign Sancho). A lot of money. Definitely more than we have at the moment, that’s clear. We got over 80 million euros for Jadon.
“Manchester United will of course also have an interest in either bringing him back in the summer or selling him in a deal that makes sense for them,” the director adds. “Whether that also makes sense for us remains to be seen
“We will also have to wait and see how things develop. For us, qualifying for the Champions League is very, very important.”