Rio Ferdinand agrees with Ryan Giggs' theory on Erik ten Hag's handling of Manchester United's Jadon Sancho

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Erik ten Hag is pushing for a reaction from Jadon Sancho after his criticism of training performances.

Ten Hag decided to criticise Sancho after leaving him out of the squad for United's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal last Sunday. The Dutchman insisted his winger didn't show enough in training to be involved, sparking a reaction from both player and public.

Sancho posted an immediate response on social media, insisting he was being made a scapegoat and that his performances were adequate. The pair will likely meet for talks in the coming days, but both look to be standing their ground.

There has been speculation as to why Ten Hag decided to take aim at one of his players so publicly, particularly when the manager revealed last season that he had been absent for so long due to 'physical and mental' reasons. And Ferdinand believes it is a final attempt to gee up a player who is yet to find top form in a red shirt.

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“I think he [Ten Hag] is working out a way in which he can trigger his player to get a positive outcome on the pitch, to get a performance on the pitch and consistently get those performances,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.

“I think he’s trying different ways, and I think this is another way of him trying to get a reaction out of his player. All managers do it differently.”

It is a similar train of thought to another former United player, Ryan Giggs. The winger claimed it to be a final 'throw of the dice' from Ten Hag in a bid to get his player fighting.

'For me, calling him out publicly is probably the last straw, or the last try, to get the best out of Sancho," he told the Webby & O'Neill