Manchester United

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag 'feels let down with Jadon Sancho outburst'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 September 2023

Ten Hag 'feels let down over Sancho outburst'

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly left disappointed with Jadon Sancho's reaction to his comments made about selection at the weekend.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly been left feeling 'let down' by Jadon Sancho's outburst on Sunday evening.

In the aftermath of Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, Ten Hag was quizzed why Sancho was not part of the matchday squad, like he had been for the first three Premier League fixtures of 2023-24.

Ten Hag replied that the England international had performed poorly during training in the days ahead of the match at the Emirates Stadium.

In response, Sancho took to social media, saying: "Please don't believe everything you read. I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself very well in training this week.

"I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won't go into, I've been a scapegoat for a long time which isn't fair! All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team.

Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

"I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and grateful to do so, which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what."

There is naturally uncertainty over how Sancho's United career will continue, with the 23-year-old having already been restricted to 76 minutes in the top flight since the start of the season.

According to The Telegraph, Ten Hag feels disappointed that Sancho chose to react in the way that he did, with the Dutchman and his coaching staff said to have been left surprised at the comments.

The report suggests that Ten Hag had expected better from the player in light of the lengths that were taken to try to rediscover Sancho's best form last season, which included time away from the club and sending the attacker to an individual training camp away from the pressures of Carrington.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on July 19, 2023 © Reuters

In his 82 appearances in all competitions, Sancho has contributed just 12 goals and six assists, so far failing to live up to his £73m price-tag from two years ago.

Ten Hag and Sancho are now likely to hold discussions over a way forward, partly a consequence of the player's value to the club but also to establish whether they can work in tandem during a busy period of the season.

Nevertheless, a report indicated on Monday that United had given Chelsea the option to sign Sancho when the respective clubs held discussions over Marc Cucurella last month.

Based on the squad that was selected on Sunday, Sancho has Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri ahead of him in the pecking order.