The last time Erik ten Hag noticed a dip in Jadon Sancho’s training level, the Manchester United manager put an arm around the player’s shoulder and led him out of the limelight to address his physical and mental issues.
Sancho trained alone for eight weeks during the World Cup in December, including a period in the safe environment of Dutch amateur club OJC Rosmalen, where he worked with coaches trusted by Ten Hag. He did not play for United for more than three months.
After Sancho was included in the selection again at the end of January, it was seen as a victory for Ten Hag’s man management and pastoral care.
However, when the Dutchman had reason to question Sancho’s efforts and attitude ahead of Sunday’s defeat at Arsenal, the reaction was less compassionate and rather flamboyant.
Ten Hag said Sancho had stayed behind in Manchester because of his performance in training. The 23-year-old reacted furiously on social media, effectively accusing his manager of lying and scapegoating him.
Jadon Sancho is currently the talk of the town following his outburst on social media last Sunday
Sancho has struggled to fulfill his potential at Manchester United after moving to Old Trafford three years ago
The fallout has cast doubt on Sancho’s future at Old Trafford at the end of a summer in which United were willing to listen to £45 million offers for him.
The fact that the transfer window is only open in a handful of countries may mean he has to stay for now, but for how long?
Cristiano Ronaldo was kicked out of the club for publicly challenging Ten Hag, and Sancho is a considerably softer target.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but the issue has once again brought to the surface the disciplinary and personal issues that have haunted the gifted winger throughout his career.
It is clear that Chelsea considered signing Sancho this summer but were concerned about his mentality and went for Manchester City’s Cole Palmer instead.
Gareth Southgate continues to give Sancho a wide lead, and his name was far from the talk when the England manager named his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifier against Ukraine and friendly against Scotland.
Mailsport understands that Southgate and his coaching staff have discussed the problem of Sancho sulking if he is not selected in the line-up and the negative impact this could have on the camp atmosphere.
The issue dates back to Euro 2020, when he reportedly reacted irritable when he was left out of the squad for the opening game against Croatia.
United boss Erik ten Hag (left) has praised Sancho (right) for his level of performance
He started a further five games on the bench during the tournament as Southgate felt Sancho’s training level was not up to par, the same issue now raised by Ten Hag.
His only call-up since then was in an experimental squad for a World Cup qualifier against Andorra two years ago, when Sancho was late for a team meeting and subsequently missed out on a place in Qatar.
Timekeeping has become a perennial problem for one of English football’s most popular football clubs.
Sancho was named player of the tournament as the England Under-17s finished runners-up in the 2017 European Championship, having already joined Borussia Dortmund for £8 million after turning down a new contract offer from Manchester City by the time England later won the World Cup Under 17 won. that year.
A few months later, Sancho and his former City team-mate Phil Foden were dropped from the England Under-19s against Latvia after showing up late for a team meeting.
It was a recurring problem at Dortmund, where manager Lucien Favre penalized him several times and dropped him for games against Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Sancho was also fined by the German Football Association for breaking lockdown rules to get a haircut.
“He just needs to be smarter and grow up with that sort of thing. You have to lead Jadon the right way,” his teammate Emre Can complained.
Sancho’s timekeeping has become an ongoing problem for him, both at the club and the country
Concerns about Sancho’s attitude persist, and the player has found himself at a dead end too many times
Concerns over Sancho’s attitude continued as United launched a bid to sign him, which took over a year and ended with a £73 million transfer in the summer of 2021.
The boy who grew up playing on a tough Kennington estate in South London returned to Manchester and spoke about his love of street football. Unfortunately, he has come to a dead end far too often at United.
Think about the highlights of Sancho’s Old Trafford career to date, and they are few and far between. A total of twelve goals and six assists from 82 games is a poor return on United’s investment.
He impressed on the tour last summer after the arrival of Ten Hag before starting the season well, and then did quite a false nine this pre-season. But where are the fireworks?
Sancho has struggled to reproduce his Bundesliga form in the more demanding environment of the Premier League
Mail Sport understand Gareth Southgate (left) and his coaching staff have spoken about the problem of Sancho sulking if he is not selected in the England line-up
Sancho has struggled to replicate his Bundesliga form in the more demanding environment of the Premier League, where even players of his talent can’t get away with cuts if they want a permanent place in the squad.
Marcus Rashford scored 30 goals from the left wing for United last season and Antony would always start on the right after following Ten Hag from Ajax to Old Trafford for £81.3 million.
Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri are ready, while Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes can both play in the wider area.
With a basic wage of £250,000 a week, Sancho is no longer a prospect. A player with potential. He has to be the real deal for United, but he’s running out of chances to prove it.
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