Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United is increasingly uncertain as he has reportedly been excluded from all of the club’s first-team facilities due to an ongoing standoff with head coach Erik ten Hag.
The 23-year-old winger has been sidelined from the first-team setup at the club after allegedly refusing to apologize to Ten Hag for his public outburst on social media earlier this month.
Ten Hag initially cited Sancho’s absence from the squad as a result of poor performances in training following a match against Arsenal. However, the player disputed this explanation, publicly criticizing his manager in the process.
When questioned about the possibility of Sancho’s return ahead of the team’s recent match against Burnley, Ten Hag commented, “It depends on him.” It was widely understood that an apology from Sancho would be the key to his reinstatement into the squad.
Reports have emerged that several of Sancho’s teammates have urged him to apologize to Ten Hag, which is seen as the necessary step for him to be reintegrated into the team. However, Sancho appears to be standing his ground, potentially paving the way for an exit during the January transfer window unless there is a change in the situation in the coming weeks.
Manchester United had reportedly been willing to allow the forward to move to the Saudi Pro League before the division’s transfer window closed, but the transfer did not materialize.
According to The Mirror, Sancho is currently barred from accessing all first-team facilities at Manchester United’s training complex, including the team dining room. The report states that the English winger is now taking his meals alongside academy players, and this situation is unlikely to change unless he offers an apology to his manager.
Ten Hag is believed to desire both a public and private apology from the former Manchester City youngster, who has yet to start a match for the Red Devils in the current season.
Sancho had displayed strong form during the pre-season, leading to suggestions that he could be utilized as a false nine in the early stages of the new campaign. However, he has only made substitute appearances in matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest before being left out of the squad entirely for the Arsenal clash.
Since joining Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, Sancho has struggled to make a significant impact, registering just 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances across all competitions.
The forward still has three years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, with the option for an additional 12 months, placing Manchester United in a strong negotiating position should any interested clubs come forward.
