THREE players allegedly became “dissenting voices” in the Manchester United dressing room during the early stages of Erik ten Hag’s reign.
Ten Hag took the helm at Old Trafford two years ago and has since endured a turbulent time.
GettyThree players allegedly disagreed with Ten Hag’s playing style[/caption]
PACristiano Ronaldo refused to agree with the Dutchman[/caption]
GettyCasemiro and Raphael Varane were ‘dissenting voices’ in the dressing room[/caption]
GettyAll three stars played together at Real Madrid[/caption]
The Red Devils won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League at the end of his first campaign in charge, but struggled to reach the same heights this time around.
United dropped down to eighth in the Prem table this season, but Ten Hag’s job was saved following an FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley.
The Dutchman has fallen out with several players during his time in Manchester.
And a report from The Athletic claims Cristiano Ronaldo became the first just a few months after Ten Hag’s arrival.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner did not comply when he was asked to press on the pitch and instead made “minimal movements” in training.
He allegedly felt that it was not the best use of his abilities or the way to win matches.
Ronaldo eventually left United on a free transfer in dramatic circumstances.
However, Casemiro and Raphael Varane continued to disagree with Ten Hag.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Both stars cited the style of play used by Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, suggesting players had more freedom that way.
Having won several titles with Los Blancos, both were understood to be strongly against Ten Hag’s philosophy and eventually became “dissenting voices” among the squad.
Varane is now a free agent, having left Man Utd at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Casemiro is also expected to depart Old Trafford this summer.
Ten Hag is set to pen a new contract with the Red Devils following his FA Cup success.
New part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe decided against sacking him and instead opted to hand him a new deal.
MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from Old Trafford