Jadon Sancho’s time at Manchester United is nearing its expiration, as manager Erik Ten Hag has warned the attacker that he may never play for the club again.
Manchester United released a statement on September 14, 2023, revealing that Sancho has been dropped from the first team.
The brief statement reads: “Jadon Sancho will remain on a personal training program away from the first-team group, pending resolution of a squad discipline issue.”
Jadon Sancho joined the Old Trafford club from Borussia Dortmund on July 23, 2021, for a fee of €85 million.
The England international has failed to hit the heights expected of him at Old Trafford, having received a huge fanfare when he arrived.
In recent weeks, there has been a spat involving him and Erik Ten Hag after Sancho inadvertently termed his manager a “liar”.
Ten Hag claimed that Jadon Sancho didn’t feature in the game against Arsenal, as a result of “his performance in training.”
However, Sancho replied to the comments from his manager with a statement which reads:
“I will not allow people saying things that are completely untrue, I conducted myself in training very well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time!”
The matter has put Manchester United in a precarious situation regarding their left-wingers, due to the scarcity of players available in that position.
Antony is currently battling personal issues and as such, he has been mutually excused from the first team “until further notice”.
Ivorian winger Amad Diallo is recuperating from an injury he picked up in a preseason fixture against Arsenal.
For Mason Greenwood, the Englishman joined Getafe on a season-long loan from Manchester United on September 1, 2023.
Ahead of the Red Devils game against Brighton at Old Trafford, Erik Ten Hag was asked if Sancho would still play for the club in the future. The 53-year-old didn’t give a definitive answer as he brushed it aside saying “I’m sitting here and we have a big game, we are going into a new block of games, many games in a condensed programme. I focus on that.”
Ten Hag also expressed that the decision taken was for the good of the team. He said: “It’s in favour of the team. That is what my decision is based on.
“That is not about me, and to be strict. No. This is in favour of the team.”
The former Ajax boss also maintained that if staff, players, or whoever, go against the rules, then appropriate punishments should follow.
Erik Ten Hag said: “If staff, players or whoever, if there is a structure and you cross lines you have to be strong, absolutely.”
Manchester United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Saturday, September 16, 2023, in their return to Premier League action.
The Red Devils have been defeated in their last 3 Premier League meetings against the Seagulls, with their last victory against the club dating back to February 15, 2022.
Manchester United defeated Brighton by 2-0 at Old Trafford on February 15, 2022, courtesy of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
Robert De Zerbi’s side are coming to Manchester with the belief that they can get the needed victory, having won 3 matches and drawn 1 this season.
