Ronaldo's action showed Jadon Sancho how to immediately end Erik ten Hag feud

Ronaldo's action showed Jadon Sancho how to immediately end Erik ten Hag feud

Erik ten Hag's fallout with Jadon Sancho carries shades of an episode with Cristiano Ronaldo a year ago - but the Portuguese star apologised to his Manchester United teammates

Jadon Sancho has been sidelined at Manchester United by boss Erik ten Hag – an episode that shares similarities with Cristiano Ronaldo ’s situation at Old Trafford a year ago.

Ten Hag has banned winger Sancho from using the club’s facilities while the player’s teammates have attempted to persuade him to apologise to the manager. The Red Devils boss is believed to be keen to avoid a disillusioned player spreading negativity and causing disharmony within his squad.

A year ago, Ronaldo was also banished from United’s facilities after throwing a strop and refusing to come on as a substitute. Ten Hag used the incident to assert his authority and reinforce discipline among his squad, which is now repeating itself this year. However, that episode led to Ronaldo apologising to his teammates for his behaviour and being reintegrated back into the squad – something which Sancho must now do if he is to salvage his United career.

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The Portuguese superstar stormed down the tunnel at Old Trafford after United recorded a dominant two-goal victory over Spurs a year ago, and left the stadium before his teammates returned to the dressing room.

Ronaldo had been asked to come on for the closing stages as a late substitute in the victory, but refused the request and left. That episode led to Ronaldo's temporary exile from first-team training and the subsequent Premier League clash against Chelsea.

Ronaldo was widely criticised for his actions at the end of that encounter with reports highlighting how many of his club teammates were dismayed at his behaviour. It was a moment that helped accelerate the deterioration of the relationship between the forward and Ten Hag.

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That ban saw Ronaldo excluded from United’s first-team squad for a subsequent trip to Chelsea in the Premier League and, a month later, he left the club after an explosive interview in which he criticised the club and its management. During his suspension, Ronaldo had wanted to access his locker to collect flip-flops but he was not allowed by Ten Hag, meaning that a youth-team player had to fetch them.

Ronaldo never was handed a run of first-team opportunities under Ten Hag, who sanctioned his release from the club in November last year – seven months prior to his contract expiring – following public criticism of the club and management during an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

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