Manchester United have confirmed that striker Jadon Sancho is currently sidelined from first-team action due to an unresolved ‘squad discipline matter’.
Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils’ chief coach, clarified that Sancho’s omission from the lineup against Arsenal prior to the international hiatus was a result of the forward’s subpar training displays.
The 23-year-old forward responded to these comments on social media, keeping the statement prominently displayed on his ‘X’ profile until it was taken down on Tuesday afternoon.
It’s understood that a meeting took place between Sancho and Ten Hag on Monday in an effort to smooth things over. However, consensus is yet to be achieved.
The club announced that Sancho, who was previously with Manchester City during his youth, won’t be featuring in the first team at Old Trafford for the time being. Instead, he will “continue with an individualised training schedule”.
As stated on Manchester United’s official website: “Jadon Sancho will pursue an individual training plan separate from the main squad, awaiting a solution to the squad discipline concern.”
Reports suggest that both John Murtough, the Red Devils’ football director, and CEO Richard Arnold are actively working to bring the situation under control.
Last year, Sancho had a brief hiatus from Manchester United due to personal reasons, and it appears he might be away from the pitch again, though the duration remains uncertain.
There were whispers that Al Ettifaq had shown interest in acquiring the forward just before the Saudi Pro League’s transfer window closed last week. However, any potential transfer to Saudi Arabia didn’t come to fruition.
Since joining the Red Devils from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, Sancho has netted 12 goals and provided six assists in 82 matches.
While he made a notable impact in the pre-season, he was only named on the bench for the initial three games of this term and was excluded from the squad against Arsenal.
Moreover, Manchester United is also presently without Antony, who is in Brazil addressing accusations of misconduct brought forward by three different women.
In other team news, Mason Greenwood won’t be featuring for United, as he’s currently plying his trade on loan at Getafe in Spain.
With this backdrop, Ten Hag finds himself in a bind, particularly in the right-wing position, especially since Amad Diallo is nursing an injury. Nonetheless, both Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes have the versatility to cover that spot, and Facundo Pellistri might also get his chance to shine in the forthcoming matches.
