Erik Ten Hag’s worries over Jadon Sancho’s performance in training appeared to have arisen before he was left off the team to face Arsenal this month.
After United’s shocking loss at the Emirates, the Dutch manager was questioned about why the £73 million winger had been benched after playing in the season’s opening four Premier League games. Ten Hag provided a harsh justification for the choice, saying it was made in response to the 23-year-old’s subpar performance in team practices.
In response, Sancho retaliated on social media, tweeting: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I won’t put up with individuals stating entirely false things; this week, I behaved admirably during training. I think there are other factors at play, but I won’t discuss them because I’ve been used as a scapegoat for too long.
After alleged discussions between the player and the manager, rumors surfaced last week that Sancho would make a last-ditch move to the Middle East before the Saudi transfer window closed. The England international returned to Carrington this week for training after having deleted his earlier post, but that move never happened.
However, The Athletic claims that Ten Hag’s treatment of Sancho was the result of 15 months of unhappiness that began during the 2022–23 season. The former Ajax manager even gave him alternate guidelines because of his punctuality issues. Sancho was given a timetable that started at least an hour earlier than that of the rest of his teammates to overcome his timing concerns. This scheme appeared to work initially, but Sancho soon began to lower his standards.
Ten Hag sent him to Holland to follow his customized training regimen after he was left off of England’s World Cup squad the previous year. While there, he worked on his conditioning and fitness with specialized coaches. However, it’s been said that other United players have also observed his lackluster effort in practice and have been disappointed by the lack of effort. The former Borussia Dortmund player’s much-publicized departure in the summer of 2021 was already seen as having underperformed.
He might have still received a lifeline at Old Trafford, though, given Antony’s absence from the team. The club has suspended the Brazilian winger following accusations of domestic abuse and assault. United said in a club statement on Sunday that the 23-year-old was being suspended from first-team activities while he handled the claims.
