“[Jadon] Sancho Could Have Done 10 Things”- Rio Ferdinand Defends Erik ten Hag For Not Punishing Marcus Rashford

Is anything ever simple with Manchester United? Even a seemingly straightforward FA Cup tie against Newport County couldn’t escape the drama. While headlines showcased Marcus Rashford’s mysterious absence from the FA Cup tie, whispers spoke about his nightclub escapades, igniting a storm of controversy. In contrast, Jadon Sancho faced public shaming and a training ground ban for perceived disciplinary issues. Now the question arises: why the different treatments from manager Erik ten Hag?

Former Manchester United icon and famous pundit, Rio Ferdinand, delved into the narrative and defended ten Hag’s distinct approach. Ferdinand emphasized the nuanced background of each player’s cases, leading to different treatment.

Rio Ferdinand defends ten Hag’s unequal treatment of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho

The heart of the matter lies in the unequal treatment of Rashford and Sancho by United’s boss Erik ten Hag. Rio Ferdinand, a renowned voice in the soccer world, shed light on the complexities that often escape the fans’ eyes. While speaking on his podcast Vibe with FIVE, Ferdinand argued that a ‘blanket approach’ to all disciplinary actions is impractical. Ferdinand disclosed his views regarding the matter. 

“You can’t treat two people exactly the same because you don’t know what incidents have happened behind the scenes that we’re not privy to. Sancho could have done ten things before that we don’t know about, and Rashford might have done three,” Ferdinand stated, urging for a deeper understanding of the situation. “I don’t think you can go blanket approach on everything and just say, ‘This is all the same. I’m throwing it all in the same basket.’ Each case warrants a different kind of reaction. I just think he has to be strong, solid, and consistent,” the former Manchester United veteran added.

So, what are these ‘ten things’ Ferdinand spoke of? Did Jadon Sancho commit multiple offenses warranting harsher measures? Or is it mere speculation, adding fuel to the fire? Whatever remains the case, the underlying message is clear: context matters the most. Judging solely on public appearances displays an incomplete picture, potentially misleading fans and media.

READ MORE: “Players in His Position Have Been Hammered” – Marcus Rashford Told to Learn From Jadon Sancho & Mason Greenwood by Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United acknowledges Marcus Rashford’s actions

As per the reports, Marcus Rashford has been fined two weeks of wages, which comes to a sum totaling $822,461, for his disciplinary breaches. The Red Devils released an official statement recently outlining that the forward acknowledged his actions and will take care. The club statement read: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”

The key word here, ‘taken responsibility,’ highlights the distinction in Rashford and Sancho’s response to the club. While Rashford accepted his punishment and took responsibility, Sancho chose a different path by refusing to accept charges for his misdemeanors.

Marcus Rashford will re-join Manchester United for training as the team prepares for the upcoming clash against the Wolves. As the saga continues, the spotlight remains on the choices made by players and Erik ten Hag. It’ll be interesting to see what lies ahead for Manchester United this season.

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