There are also some United staff members who believe Sancho could have been handled differently. He responds to warmer management and they feel private cajoling and encouragement may have kept him onside, although they accept they are not the ones in Ten Hag’s position.

I might eat my words but I think we’ll look back on this and the consensus will be that ETH failed to man-manage Sancho by being too strict. Not everyone can conform to the same requirements, I believe that’s where top-tier managers really earn their money. Sancho is unquestionably talented and I don’t think ETH is the kind of manager that can properly unlock that potential. Might be the case with all or most of his managers.