Some members of the Manchester United coaching team reportedly feel that the squad would benefit from a "softer" approach from Erik ten Hag rather than the Dutchman's cut-throat principles.
Since stepping into the hotseat in the summer of 2022, Ten Hag has adopted an authoritarian, no-nonsense method of working at Old Trafford and has not hesitated to discipline players for even the most minor indiscretions.
Ten Hag's unforgiving approach was evident only a few months into his tenure, as an in-form Marcus Rashford was dropped from the first XI for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers due to being late to a team meeting, and the Dutchman had no qualms over freezing out five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
More recently, Jadon Sancho has been ostracised from the first-team setup for over two-and-a-half months owing to his public spat with Ten Hag, who did not call him up to the squad to face Arsenal on account of perceived poor displays in training.
After publicly challenging Ten Hag's version of events, Sancho - a £73m acquisition from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 - was informed that he would not be re-integrated unless he apologised to his manager, and little has been heard of the Englishman ahead of his expected exit in January.
© Reuters
Ten Hag has also taken the bold decision to demote World Cup winner Raphael Varane to the bench, preferring Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as his central options in defence.
The former Ajax manager's brutal selection calls have not always paid dividends on the field this term, as Man United lie sixth in the Premier League table and are five points adrift of the Champions League places.
In addition, the Red Devils have been beaten in three of their opening four Champions League Group A ties, conceding 11 goals in total, and they sit at the foot of their continental section as a result.
Ten Hag's harsh principles have drawn plenty of criticism among fans and pundits, and a recent report claimed that some Man United players blamed their poor start to the campaign on being overworked in pre-season.
Now, the Daily Mail reports that even some staff members have been questioning Ten Hag's methods, which have caused a dressing-room divide between those who are in favour of his modus operandi and those who are not.
© Reuters
The outlet states that the coaches believe a softer approach would not go amiss, as they are determined to unite the entire squad heading into a pivotal run of festive fixtures.
Sancho's banishment from the first team reportedly led to mixed reactions within the Carrington walls, while the relationship between Varane and Ten Hag is now said to be non-existent.
The former Real Madrid man is being tipped to depart the Red Devils alongside Sancho in early 2024, with Bayern Munich and clubs in Saudi Arabia said to be attentive to the situation.
Varane will likely be consigned to a place on the bench again when Man United meet Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, in what will be the Toffees' first game since being deducted 10 points for breaking the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.
Ben Knapton
