I’M MR MOTIVATOR Sancho comeback’s all part of Ten Hag’s team-building masterclass Skubala says no love lost in Roses collision
ERIK TEN HAG has booted Cristiano Ronaldo out of Manchester United and given Jadon Sancho time off in order to get his mind in the right place.
He’s the manager who responded to what was a total humiliation at Brentford by ordering his players into training the next day – only to then join them on an eight-and-a-halfmile punishment run in searing summer temperatures.
The Dutchman has an iron fist inside a velvet glove and in just seven months has turned the Premier League’s biggest underachievers back into a force to be reckoned with.
For all the debate about talent, tactics and technicians, the 53-year-old Dutchman didn’t take long to realise the biggest thing missing at Old Trafford was team spirit.
The subject Ronaldo remains off limits because the Portuguese’s ego no longer casts a shadow in the dressing room.
But, as Ten Hag said: “We must all be in this together.
“We all win together and we lose together – so I’m in the boat as well, as my coaches are. We are together with the dressing room, with the players – we are in there.
“I think we have quality in the dressing room with the players, with the coaching staff, and we have to get results because we get paid for that.
“We have to take on that responsibility. Every day, every match, we have to prove that prove that to the club and to our fans. That is our responsibility.” Ten Hag’s first Premier League game brought a 2-1 home defeat by Brighton.
The second was the 4-0 thumping by Brentford that prompted him to summon his players the next day to do the hard yards missing at the Gtech Community Stadium. United had been outrun by 13.8km in that game – so they were ordered to do that distance as a penance despite the 30-degree temperatures. Moans and groans were soon cut short by the sight of the manager joining the slog. Ten Hag said: “If it has to be like that, then we all do it.
“It doesn’t matter what
age you are – but be sure I can’t run any more than what the players now bring on the pitch!”
Ronaldo’s failure to bend to the Dutchman’s will saw him left on the bench and then dispensed with completely.
Ten Hag’s handling of the issue brought him even more kudos in a dressing room that had been drained by the fading star’s self-pity.
And when it became clear that Sancho was perhaps struggling to cope with the expectations that came with
MICHAEL SKUBALA has warned hated rivals Manchester United they will be entering a lion’s den at Elland Road today.
The sworn enemies will clash for the second time in five days following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
And Leeds’ Under-21s boss Skubala – temporarily thrust into the top job after Jesse Marsch was axed on Monday – believes the white-hot atmosphere can work in his team’s favour.
Sir Alex Ferguson wrote in his 2013 autobiography of the “most incredible hatred” his Red Devils side would face his £73million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to United the previous year, the manager opted for the holistic approach.
Sancho was sent to Holland to be mentored by the Talent Academy Group, a company trusted by Ten Hag to prepare the winger for the demands of elite sport.
Sancho scored his first Premier League goal since September 1 after coming on as a substitute against Leeds on Thursday night, as United showed the spirit that their during trips to Elland Road. Asked whether Leeds fans will create a cauldron of noise today, Skubala said: “I agree. Elland Road is a special place and we’re going to need the fans behind us to have another big performance.
“There’s no doubt Manchester United are a strong team, but so are we.
“If we can get the performance right then hopefully the result will look after itself – but we’re going to need the fans behind us.
“We were excited about going to Old Trafford and the players are really excited to go against Manchester United again – this manager has installed by coming back from 2-0 down to salvage a point.
He will be in the frame when his team face Leeds again today.
Asked if Sancho’s problems had been cured, Ten Hag said: “I can’t answer that question. It’s impossible.
“It’s a personal thing and you don’t know in anyone’s head what is going on – and I think you have to respect that.
“I support every player, I back every player where I can time at Elland Road.” Skubala (right) has worked as a PE teacher, a school head of year, an academy coach, a university coach, and held roles with the Football Association.
A proponent of futsal and a consultant for UEFA, he became Leeds’ Under-21s boss last July.
Skubala will be missing defender Pascal Struijk (concussion) today but
Liam Cooper, Marc Roca and Luis Sinisterra will be assessed.
ROSS HEPPENSTALL
and I want to ensure that we have a good team spirit and to ensure and encourage and motivate all the players to give their best.
“So I will push them and if they have problems we will help them to sort them out.
“I’m not happy or satisfied with less than the best. I demand the highest standards.”