'Unacceptable' - Erik ten Hag slammed for 'b*llocking' Man Utd players in public amid reports Jadon Sancho treatment has divided the dressing room

Ten Hag has come in for criticism from Lineker amid speculation his treatment of exiled forward Jadon Sancho has divided the dressing room at Manchester United. Sancho has been excluded from the first-team squad after a disagreement over his performances in training, but some players reportedly want Sancho to return as he has been training "like a beast" recently. Lineker says that Ten Hag's decision to go public with his criticism of Sancho was not the right move.

Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast: "I think in the modern age management has changed. You’ve got to have the players on board. You can’t just go around b*llocking players. In fact, it was always a no-no - going public with players. I think that’s the one area that I would criticise Ten Hag a bit.

“I don’t think he’s handled brilliantly situations with various players now. He’s had a lot to deal with but he’s repeatedly been critical openly and publicly and that’s the one thing that was always, even when I played, unacceptable. You could take any kind of b*llocking in the dressing room, but the minute a manager puts you down publicly that is a no-no.”

Ten Hag has not been the only person to criticise Sancho. Former midfielder Nemanja Matic has claimed the winger was "always being late" during his time at Old Trafford. Any return for Sancho looks highly unlikely unless he is willing to apologise to Ten Hag first. Even that may not be enough with the relationship between the pair said to be "broken beyond repair."

Sancho has been tipped to move on in January in a bid to get his career back on track. Juventus and former club Borussia Dortmund have been linked with moves for Sancho, while he is also believed to be a target for Saudi clubs. Sancho may not be the only player on his way out, with United tipped for a big clear-out of the squad.