Ex-Manchester United captain ‘torn’ after discussing Jadon Sancho & Erik ten Hag’s problem

Rio Ferdinand has been left conflicted by the Jadon Sancho saga and has tried to see the situation from the perspectives of both Ten Hag and the winger ahead of his potential loan move.

Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho’s relationship seems to be almost unrepairable as United’s No. 25 is set to join Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season for a reported fee of £3 million, a far cry from the £73 million that swapped hands between the two clubs for the player’s signature in 2021.

Sancho hasn’t put on a United top since August after his clash with Ten Hag about comments that the Dutchman made on the winger’s performance levels in training. Since then, the Englishman has been banished following a social media post that criticised the manager.

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Erik ten Hag has reiterated multiple times that the 23-year-old needs to apologise if he wants to be incorporated back into the squad. However, Sancho has shown no intention to do so and is now hoping to regain his form in the Bundesliga.

Speaking on his podcast, FIVE, Rio Ferdinand empathised with the current United boss, saying:

“The manager might be sitting there, if you look at it from his side, I’ve exhausted every single element of my managerial skills and experience to try and get this player to play, and I can’t get it out of him.”

Ferdinand, 45, thinks Sancho’s temporary move away from Old Trafford is an attempt by Ten Hag to ease the situation:

“So he’s [Erik ten Hag] manufactured a way in which he’s got him to a point in which he’s going to be going on loan to Borussia Dortmund.”

The former centre-back goes on to say: “Yes, there’s been public showings of discontent from the manager. But I just feel that there’s been stuff that’s gone on behind the scenes. 

“He’s obviously been bought to that because I think there’s frustration. “I’ve been trying. I’ve let you go to Amsterdam. I’ve given you this. I’ve done this. But I’m still not getting the response I need. So I’m going to go public and see how you respond.”

Ferdinand, who was joined by his brother Anton for the podcast, went on to ask his sibling what he would do as he was in a similar situation with United legend Steve Bruce during their time as a player and manager at the Stadium of Light, to which Anton hinted that Sancho and Ten Hag’s issues may be “more personal than just about the football.”

He added: “However, there comes a point, I think, where if Ten Hag is coming out and publicly saying things about Jadon and saying he doesn’t train properly, and I’m out there, I’m defending myself.”