Jadon Sancho had ‘tension’ with Ronaldo after Man Utd icon called team meeting

Cristiano Ronaldo 'frustrated' Man Utd squad as Mike Phelan lifts lid on 'opinionated' star

Jadon Sancho’s relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly ‘tense’ when they shared the dressing room at Manchester United. The England international has struggled to justify his £73million price tag since joining the Red Devils, and it appears that he will need to improve on and off the pitch if he is to have a future at the club.

Sancho was thrown into the limelight by Erik ten Hag before the international break after he was omitted from the matchday squad to face Arsenal. Quizzed about the decision, the ex-Ajax boss explained that he took the decision due to the winger’s training levels and how he wasn’t playing to the required ‘level’.

The 23-year-old hit back on social media with a now-deleted post on X (Twitter) where he explained that he felt that he was being scapegoated and insisted that he was happy with how he was training. Sancho will consequently need to repair his relationship with Ten Hag sooner rather than later if he is to have a future at the Theatre of Dreams.

Though the forward is not unfamiliar with the tenseness that the situation creates given that his entire tenure at the club has been a rollercoaster of emotions. According to The Athletic, Sancho’s relationship with Ronaldo was tense when the pair led the line together for United prior to Ten Hag’s arrival, despite the ex-Borussia Dortmund star being one of the club’s star performers at that stage.

Don’t miss… Man Utd ‘concern’ over Ten Hag emerges as manager’s actions land him in trouble[LATEST]

Ralf Rangnick was tasked with preventing United’s season from derailing entirely in 2021, but the German never had the true support of the dressing room despite getting the best out of some individuals – including Sancho. Ronaldo was particularly vocal about the matter and is said to have called an emergency team meeting with the now-Austria boss and the players to discuss tactics and how he felt the team should be playing two upfront, rather than three.

The tactical switch would mean that Sancho would need to be dropped into a deeper role or forced to warm the bench, and Rangnick was not willing to make such a change.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The No 25 recognised what Ronaldo was suggesting in a moment that epitomised their relationship – with there also being tension between the pair in terms of ‘playing style and personality’.

Sancho reuniting with Ronaldo further down the line certainly should not be ruled out if he is not able to prove his worth to Ten Hag before the January transfer window. Several Saudi sides registered an interest in the forward over the summer and the United hierarchy reportedly made it clear that they were willing to entertain offers for the winger after his eyebrow-raising statement was posted online.

Source: Read Full Article