Erik Ten Hag and The Disciplinary Conundrum
Ten Hag’s Disciplinary Balancing Act at Manchester United
Since the turn of the century, we have kept hearing the phrase “The Manchester United Way” more times than any other phrase in English football. Under Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United was invincible. A perfect club. A club that could do no wrong.
It is a mess currently. As much as Ten Hag is trying to improve United on the field, it’s the off-field issue that keeps dragging his efforts back. How did it reach a point where Manchester United have put out more statements in recent times than having wins?
Recruitment Woes
Erik Ten Hag is doing his best to keep the club above the water level. The problem has been the recruiting for Manchester United in the last few years. It’s like the transfer committee doesn’t even do the background checks when they move in for players.
Take Jadon Sancho for example. He has now been banished by the club due to the recent events. But one quick look at history and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to many that he has always been a moody player.
There is a famous video of him being substituted when he was still at Manchester City’s academy where he refused to shake Foden’s hand when substituted. He already had tantrum issues and at United that has only gotten worse.
Of course, it’s not only Sancho’s fault here because he has not gotten a consistent run in the team but that is due to his form, what also hasn’t helped is the changing of managers. It isn’t easy for players to adapt straight away to new methods, especially for a guy who has come to the club for a record fee. But as far as discipline issues go, signs were always there that Sancho is a bit of an enigmatic character.
Antony has his own issues and so does Greenwood. These are complicated cases that can’t be talked about. But yet again Ten Hag has been asked to deal with it. All this in a single season. Must be tough for the guy. Currently, it looks like the club and Ten Hag are dealing with it as best as they can.
Managing Discipline: The Harry Maguire Episode
This is by far the best thing Erk Ten Hag has done squad-wise. He came in and gave Maguire a chance, but Maguire didn’t take it, Ten Hag dropped him off the first team, quietly stripped him of the captaincy, and then eventually put him out of the first-team squad permanently.
Ten Hag handled this situation perfectly. It had the potential to become a real dumpster fire but Ten Hag aced the situation. Maguire was given a fair chance to prove himself and he failed. Ten Hag then dropped him on merit and there hasn’t been any ill feeling between the club, player, and manager.
Maguire was also given the chance to move to West Ham in the summer transfer window but he decided to fight for his place. Fair enough, at least Ten Hag gets a committed player if not a world-class one.
Erik Ten Hag’s Justification
Currently, Erik Ten Hag seems to have been vindicated in every decision he has made disciplinary-wise since coming to Manchester United. Sancho has been the biggest headache as far as on-field antics go. He is currently training away from the first team after falling out with Ten Hag.
Ten Hag had accused Sancho of not showing enough in the training prior to the Arsenal game to be selected in the squad to which Sancho retaliated by posting a statement saying Erik Ten Hag has been lying about his condition.
Now these are some of the most expensive players ever. Sancho and Antony have cost United upwards of £150m combined. It’s not easy to leave them out of the squad but that is probably the need of the hour. Maybe United become a more cohesive unit without such distractions. Time will tell.
Echoes of Sir Alex: Discipline at the Core
Sir Alex Ferguson dealt with indiscipline like it was just another Monday for him. When it came to discipline he let his biggest stars leave rather than give in to their tantrums. Just look at some of the names that butted heads with Sir Alex during his time. David Beckham, Carlos Tevez, Roy Keane, Lee Sharpe, Gabriel Heinze, and there are so many more.
Alex Ferguson was a man of principle and if he thought the players weren’t living up to his principles then out they went. Ten Hag is pretty new to his surroundings right now but if he can do half a job disciplinary-wise that Sir Alex did and then helps United compete for major honors while doing so, he would become the second-best thing that had ever happened to Manchester United in the Premier League after Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ten Hag’s Current Standings and Future Prospects
As of this writing, Ten Hag is doing a commendable job. It is not easy to leave players like Greenwood, Sancho, and Antony out of the squad and compete against the very best that the Premier League offers. But every manager has to make tough decisions at big clubs.
It is Ten Hag’s sword right now whether he swings it or falls on it remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, he has already made the big strides. Hopefully, for United and their fans, it all comes off.
