Manchester United's manager, Erik ten Hag, openly acknowledged the challenging culture he inherited at Old Trafford, hinting at a need for transformation while maintaining his silence regarding Jadon Sancho's future at the club.
Sancho found himself training separately from his teammates after voicing his frustration on social media, claiming to be a "scapegoat" under Ten Hag's leadership. The winger had previously been excluded from the lineup in a recent 3-1 loss to Arsenal due to subpar performances in training sessions.
United faces further setbacks as Antony, another wide forward, has been granted leave to address allegations of domestic abuse, leaving a void in the squad for the upcoming match against Brighton.
Ten Hag, known for his strict disciplinary approach, built this reputation by sidelining players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford last season due to violations of team rules. However, he emphasised that his main objective upon joining the club was to reshape the prevailing culture at Manchester United.
"The club tasked me with establishing strict guidelines because there was a lack of a positive culture before last season. I had to set high standards," commented Ten Hag. "It's not about one individual's mistake; it's a comprehensive process that leads to certain decisions about maintaining discipline. There's a structured approach to handling such situations, whether involving staff or players, so it's important to stand firm."
Injuries have further complicated matters for Ten Hag, with key players like Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount still on the sidelines. Nevertheless, centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are fit and available despite recent setbacks due to injury and illness, respectively, during the Arsenal match.
In a potential boost for the team, Sofyan Amrabat might make his debut for Manchester United against Brighton despite withdrawing from the Morocco squad during the international break.
