Jadon Sancho has reportedly still not returned to Manchester United's training complex, with the attacker undergoing an "individual training programme".
The 22-year-old was left out of his side's winter training camp earlier this month, with the club revealing that he was working with specialist coaches in a bid to help him overcome a difficult period.
"Jadon Sancho is continuing his individual training programme as part of a process to get back to his highest level. The club is fully supporting him in this," said the club on their official website when the squad for the mid-season friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis was named.
Sancho was unsurprisingly left out of the England squad for the 2022 World Cup, having struggled to show his best form for the Red Devils since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021.
The forward has only scored eight goals and registered four assists in 52 matches for Man United, including three goals and one assist in 14 outings in all competitions this term.
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Sancho has not represented Man United since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22, having been absent before the break for the World Cup due to illness.
"He [Sancho] has had some really good performances [earlier in the season] and was going in a good direction. But the last weeks he struggled with illness. Then it's normal that you don't get the nomination for [the World Cup]. Every manager will take only fit players to the World Cup," Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag recently told reporters.
Sancho had been expected to be back in first-team training ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup last-16 contest with Championship leaders Burnley.
However, according to the Manchester Evening News, the former Manchester City youngster is still absent for the 20-time English champions.
The report claims that Sancho will therefore not be available for the EFL Cup fixture at Old Trafford.
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Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Fred and Antony could all potentially be involved against Burnley despite featuring at the World Cup.
However, Diogo Dalot is a major doubt due to the hamstring injury that he picked up while representing Portugal in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Man United will also definitely be without the services of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, with both players involved in Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and France.
Martinez did not get onto the field for Argentina at the weekend but is not due to report to Carrington until next week.
Varane played 113 minutes of the final before being substituted with an apparent fitness issue, although it is understood that the experienced centre-back was tired rather than injured when he was brought off the field.
Matt Law
