Jadon Sancho’s recent absence at Manchester United under manager Erik ten Hag has eerie similarities to Cristiano Ronaldo’s tumultuous spell at Old Trafford a year ago at. Ten Hag decided to ban winger Jadon Sancho from using the club’s facilities amid an ongoing dispute and he wants to prevent a disgruntled player from spreading negativity and disrupting team harmony. In this regard, it echoes Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation.
Ronaldo was in a similar predicament a year ago when he was ousted from Manchester United after refusing to come on as a substitute in a match. Ten Hag used the incident as an opportunity to assert his authority and maintain discipline within the squad, a pattern that has now been repeated with Sancho. However, Ronaldo’s case ended up taking a different turn.
Ronaldo infamously walked down the tunnel and left Old Trafford after United’s win over Tottenham, where he apologized to his teammates for his behavior and reintegrated into the squad. Sancho now faces a similar path if he hopes to salvage his United career. Ronaldo’s behavior a year ago marked a turning point in his relationship with Ten Hag and resulted in his temporary exclusion from first-team training and matches. The expulsion included missing a crucial Premier League game against Chelsea.
Ronaldo has been widely criticized for his actions, with many of his club teammates expressing dismay. It was a critical moment that accelerated the deterioration of his relationship with his manager. During the suspension, Ronaldo even tried to enter his locker to retrieve his flip-flops, but Ten Hag refused him permission, necessitating the intervention of a youth team player.
Ultimately, Ronaldo’s tenure under Ten Hag culminated in his departure from United in November of the same year, seven months before his contract expired. He quit after a fiery interview on Piers Morgan’s show in which he publicly criticized the club and its management. As Jadon Sancho deals with his current predicament, he finds himself at a crossroads similar to the one Cristiano Ronaldo faced a year ago. Whether he can mend fences like Ronaldo remains to be seen.