Jadon Sancho has apparently been further isolated from the first team at Manchester United. Yet his coach could do with him right now.
Coach Erik ten Hag has given himself and his team some peace of mind for the time being with a 1-0 away win at Burnley FC on Saturday. Only for Jadon Sancho the situation at Manchester United does not seem to improve – quite the opposite.
After the former Dortmund player was suspended indefinitely for his public criticism of ten Hag, the Mirror now reports that the sanctions go even further. According to the report, Sancho is barred from all first-team premises and is also not allowed to eat with his team-mate on the club’s premises, but only with the junior players.
Ten Hag: “It depends on him “
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that was later deleted,
Sancho indirectly accused ten Hag, who had explained his omission from the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal with insufficient training performances, of lying and complained of being made a “scapegoat”. According to media reports, ten Hag is only prepared to lift Sancho’s ban if he apologises – which has not happened so far. The 23-year-old had not committed misconduct for the first time since signing in the summer of 2021. “It depends on him,” ten Hag had said before the Burnley game.
What fits perfectly with the record champions’ chaotic start to the season on many levels is also a sporting problem for ten Hag. Sancho’s absence has made the options on the right wing a little smaller. With Antony still on leave to deal with domestic violence allegations against him and the long-term injured Amad Diallo, two more candidates are missing. At Burnley, match-winner Bruno Fernandes moved to the right, while 21-year-old Facundo Pellistri started for the first time this season in the Champions League opener in Munich (3:4).
Nevertheless, ten Hag is not expected to give Sancho an early reprieve. Since his arrival at Old Trafford, the Dutchman has repeatedly emphasised – and demonstrated – his clear line on disciplinary offences.
