Ryan Giggs believes Ten Hag's criticism of Jadon Sancho is ‘one last throw of the dice.’
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Giggs responds to Sancho's criticism from Ten Hag || Photo Credit: Imago

Ryan Giggs believes Ten Hag's criticism of Jadon Sancho is ‘one last throw of the dice.’

Stephen Oladehinde 12:04 - 09.09.2023

Erik ten Hag's public criticism of Jadon Sancho, according to Ryan Giggs, was the Manchester United manager's final throw of the dice.

Since taking over 14 months ago, the former Ajax manager has had trouble making the most of the £73 million winger.

The England star, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, is still having trouble living up to his enormous price tag.

Sancho received criticism from Ten Hag for his training-related actions following last Sunday's 3-1 loss at Arsenal.

However, Giggs has said that Ten Hags criticism of Sancho is the manager's last hope of testing the forward.

Jadon Sancho and Erik Ten Hag when the going was good. (Photo Credit: Imago)
Jadon Sancho and Erik Ten Hag when the going was good. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Giggs speaks about Sancho’s criticism

Giggs, a former Wales manager, said as reported by the Sun, “It seems like it was the last throw of the dice. Let’s call him out publicly and see how he reacts.

“From the outside, you don’t know but it looks like Ten Hag has tried everything with Sancho. When he first came to the club, I was a fan.

“I thought that he could get ­better, could improve, which he’s not really done in the short space of time he has been at the club. It just hasn’t happened.

“Ten Hag has sent him away to get fit. He has tried him in different positions. For me, calling him out publicly is probably the last straw or the last try to get the best out of Sancho.

“The player can react and think ‘Right, I’ll show him and show the manager what I’m capable of’ or he can sulk and probably won’t get anywhere. It’s up to Sancho now.”

Sancho stated in a social media post on Sunday that his training performances were fine, suggesting another reason for his exclusion.

But Giggs feels that how players act at Carrington is crucial. In the Webby and O'Neill podcast, he said: “I know a lot has been made of his training.

“Training at United — from my experience as a player — was harder than the games. You have to have the performances in training to get yourself on that pitch on a Saturday.

“He has got to improve, that’s the bottom line. Because you have got a manager who won’t settle for it. 

“If it’s true that his training performances haven’t been good enough, you’re not going to play. The players have got to take responsibility.

“If it’s true that he’s not pulling his weight they have to call him out to make sure he does perform.

“But there is only one person who can change it. You can only get it back on the training pitch.

“Build your fitness, confidence, physicality — do everything you can. Don’t give the manager any excuses to call you out.”