Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains resolute in his stand-off with star winger Jadon Sancho. The situation has been brewing for weeks now, with no end in sight as both parties refuse to back down.
Sancho’s absence from the squad started on September 3 when he took to social media to express his frustrations, claiming that he had been a “scapegoat for a long time.” This came after Ten Hag left him out of the squad for the defeat against Arsenal, citing issues with his performance in training.
The club had hoped that the international break would provide a cooling-off period and allow for reconciliation. However, there has been no compromise, and Manchester United remains steadfast in their demand for an apology from Sancho to Ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag, determined to maintain his authority, has refused to comment on the situation publicly. It’s a clear breach of disciplinary rules for a player to publicly undermine his manager, essentially calling him a liar.
The Professional Footballers’ Association has stepped in to offer support to Sancho, who believes he has been unfairly treated. Some senior players at the club have also attempted to mediate, reflecting the division in the dressing room over this issue.
While sympathy exists for Sancho, his decision to post the now-deleted message on social media, viewed more than 60 million times, is widely regarded as unwise. As a result, Sancho has been removed from the first-team group since September 14.
However, Manchester United is keen to emphasise that he is not in isolation. Instead, he is following an individual training program at the club’s Academy facilities in Carrington. The club continues to provide him with medical support and access to essential facilities while the issue remains unresolved.
This is not the first time Sancho has been excluded from first-team training under Ten Hag. Last season, he underwent an individual fitness program in the Netherlands, watching the World Cup from afar. Despite this, he returned to play a key role in United’s Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle, ending the season with seven goals and three assists.
Sancho’s absence has raised concerns about United’s depth in the right-wing position, especially with Antony’s delayed return amid allegations of assault. While the Brazilian winger denies the claims and isn’t suspended, the uncertainty surrounding his situation adds to the challenges United currently face on the pitch.
As the stand-off between Ten Hag and Sancho continues, all eyes are on Old Trafford to see how this saga unfolds and whether a resolution can be reached that allows one of the brightest talents in English football to return to action for Manchester United.
