Man United’s dressing room has ‘growing doubt’ due to Erik ten Hag’s handling of three stars
Following back-to-back 3-0 losses against Manchester City and Newcastle United, The Reds are in a tough spot whilst sitting eighth in the Premier League.
Ten Hag has stated that he will ‘fight’ to turn things around amid external questioning over his job at Old Trafford, however, the internal leaks have started all over again.
Reports from the Manchester Evening News have stated that dressing room sources say that doubts are growing over Ten Hag’s management and there is simmering resentment among certain players towards teammates.
It was added that some players are also unimpressed with the general direction of the club as the club enters the twelfth month of their strategic review
Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks set to invest £1.3 billion into the club to secure 25 per cent and control over the footballing department, however, it is unclear when this move will be ratified.
But, right now, problems on the pitch remain and the aforementioned report also mentioned a problem within the squad growing due to perceived favouritism from the Dutch manager.
It said that some players feel Ten Hag tends to protect perceived favourites in the squad while rounding on others, albeit without outright naming them in public.
An assumption would be that this would be concerning the offensive trio of Antony, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes; who all start the lion’s share of games when available.
Against Newcastle, the latter two were dropped to the bench but the manager suggested that it was for rest and not punishment for poor performances. “They are performing at every training session,” he said before the game.
Many have called for the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount to replace the two players regarded as key for Ten Hag due to their poor form this season. Yet there were no favours made for those players looking to push into the team following the defeat to The Magpies.
Antony, on the other hand, has not previously impressed in a United shirt. Rashford and Fernandes will have credit in the bank from their performances last season in Ten Hag’s eyes, but there have been more difficulties for the signing from Ajax, who continues to start.
It has previously been suggested that one of Jadon Sancho’s gripes with the manager was his favouritism of the Brazilian. In fairness, neither player has ever performed well enough to stamp their authority on that right-wing position.
Elsewhere in the squad and Ten Hag has not really been able to pick ‘favourites’ as there is an ever-changing injury list, with Casemiro being the latest victim after a new setback.