They're both players who made a fool of themselves on social media, but there are also two very different ways they reacted afterwards. Erik Ten Hag spoke about Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho in the press conference ahead of Sunday's semi-final.
The feud between Ten Hag and Sancho has been ongoing since Sancho refused to apologize for a social media post after the Arsenal match in the autumn.
On Tuesday, Sancho helped Borussia Dortmund reach the semi-finals of the Champions League on loan from United.
Nothing has changed in the relationship
– Obviously I follow international football, and I follow the players we have on loan to other clubs. It was a fantastic football match between Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, and for Jadon this was good news. Ten Hag explained that he contributed to the result in favor of Dortmund.
– United received a “large” bonus after promoting Sancho and Dortmund
When asked if anything had changed between the two, Ten Hag was clear.
– No, but we know that Jadon Sancho is a great player, so it is not a surprise to us. The Dutchman pointed out that this is not the goal.
Following last weekend's 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, Alejandro Garnacho was substituted at half-time. The young Argentine, or someone on his team, clicked on a post criticizing Ten Hag for the change.
Unlike Sancho, Jarnacho apologized and accepted Ten Hag's apology.
– Alejandro is a young player who has a lot to learn. He apologized and we will move on,” Ten Hag explained.
– Casemiro is a winner
In an up-and-down season that has been plagued by injuries, there are many players who have struggled to show the positive vibes from last year's season.
Among them is Casemiro, and the Brazilian has received a lot of criticism for his play this season. On Friday, Ten Hag took the midfielder into defence
– When I came to the club we needed a defensive midfielder and Casemiro was great. I don't think he scored many goals in the past, but he was very important for the team as a defensive midfielder. This season he has suffered injuries like he never had before, but he is a winner. He has won throughout his career, and wherever he plays there will be success, and I am confident that he will achieve success. I know he needs more games, but he will improve and I trust him, was the clear message from Ten Hag.
– Sad for English football culture
Now Coventry United awaits in the FA Cup and Erik Ten Hag wants to return to Wembley when the final takes place in May.
-We have done our job and are ready for what lies ahead. I know of course that Mark Robins is a former United player and he did very well as a coach there. We know a lot about them. They are of course dangerous when they manage to reach the semi-finals. Last season they were very close to promotion to the Premier League. We saw what they can do when they played against Wolves in the quarter-finals. They have a great mentality, praises Ten Hag.
The United manager was also asked about the new changes to the FA Cup as the replay will no longer be part of the world's oldest club tournament.
– It's very sad for English football culture, but it's inevitable. Due to the tight match schedule decided by FIFA and UEFA. The burden on the players is very high, but I feel sorry for the clubs in England, but for the best players, it gives them a chance to have more rest.
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