Erik ten Hag admits Man Utd have "problems" amid dressing room split fears

22 September 2023 , 21:30

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Erik ten Hag has urged his Manchester United squad to stick together (Image: Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag has ordered his Manchester United flops to stick together in a bid to salvage their season.

United face a growing crisis following three straight defeats in all completions. Mounting problems off the pitch as well mean Ten Hag is feeling the pressure ahead of Saturday's crunch showdown at Burnley.

There have been reports of a dressing room split within the United squad, claiming some players are losing faith in Ten Hag. And while Ten Hag denies there is a problem between his players, he admits United have to live up to their name if they are to get out of the mess they find themselves in.

Ten Hag said: "You can't say the spirit isn't right. I think we have other problems than that. At United, you have to win every game, so it doesn't change anything. I don't know if it's a leak (in the dressing room), but I know your opinion. I know my players.

"Everyone can make suggestions, but we are okay with it. You get stronger from it, as long as you stay together. That’s what we're doing. All the staff, coaches, medical people, everyone is united - and at United you fight."

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Ten Hag was also quizzed about Jadon Sancho, who is training alone and not with the first-team camp following his social media outburst earlier this month. The 23-year-old was left out of the United squad to face Arsenal and Ten Hag later revealed that Sancho's absence was because of his training performances.

Erik ten Hag has handed Jadon Sancho a Manchester United lifeline (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Sancho hit back at his manager and issued a statement on social media, claiming he is being made a "scapegoat". Ten Hag then left Sancho out of the squad to take on Brighton at Old Trafford and admitted he "didn't know" whether the England international would play for the club again.

Having not played against Bayern, Sancho will also not face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday evening, but Ten Hag has handed him a lifeline to revive his career. "It depends on him," Ten Hag told reporters at a press conference on Friday. "For the rest, we are preparing for Burnley and that's our focus. He will not be in the squad."

Ten Hag also previewed his side's trip to Turf Moor and the threats Burnley can pose. He added: "We know how intense they play football, we know their approach, I like the approach from them, the adventure, high intensity and dynamic in their game, so we have to play our best."

Jeremy Cross