Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has slammed Manchester United for the wrong treatment of Jadon Sancho following his bust-up with manager Erik ten Hag.

The former Reds striker feels the Englishman is being forced out of Old Trafford.

Speaking to the Mirror, Robbie Fowler said: “I know it sounds a bit cynical, but I can’t help thinking the entire Jadon Sancho situation stinks suspiciously like a classic case of wanting a player out. Manchester United have not really played this properly, with what appears to be a bit of briefing against their player.

“He may well have not been training properly, as Erik ten Hag suggested. But I get the feeling there is more to it than that. And I don’t think any party benefits from it all being played out in public. If a club feels they have to come out and tell people about it, that’s a worry because it means your discipline is not working.

“That’s not a good look for Man United, and definitely not a good sign. If there is a dispute, then sort it out in private. I wouldn’t criticise Sancho for responding in the way he did. He was merely correcting what he saw as something inaccurate about him. Now it seems like a situation which can only spiral out of control.

“It seems a classic case of making a player’s position untenable, and forcing him to leave. It just means even more pressure on the player, which is the wrong thing to do. Every time he trains, every time he plays or doesn’t play, there will be questions and yet more spotlight. That is the wrong way to have handled it.”