Man United boss Ten Hag stands by Sancho comments – sources

Erik ten Hag is standing by his comments about Jadon Sancho’s absence from the Manchester United squad, sources advised ESPN, regardless of the ahead’s livid response to his supervisor’s claims.

Sancho was axed from the squad for the three-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday with Ten Hag saying afterwards that “on his performance in training we didn’t select him.”

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But inside an hour, Sancho hit again by insisting Ten Hag’s remarks had been “completely untrue.”

In an announcement posted on X, Sancho added: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I have conducted myself in training very well this week.

“I imagine there are different causes for this matter that I will not get into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a very long time which is not truthful!”

Ten Hag was made aware of Sancho’s response on the journey back to Manchester from London on Sunday evening but decided against issuing a clarification to his postmatch comments.

According to sources, he believes he was clear on his reasons for dropping Sancho and is standing by the view that he did not deserve a place in the squad because of his performances in training.

The 23-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in a £73 million ($92m) deal in 2021, has made three substitute appearances so far this season.

Sancho has risked disciplinary action over his social media posts.

Ten Hag has acted quickly to stamp out perceived indiscipline at United in the past.

When Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview in November 2022 that he “did not respect” Ten Hag, the Portugal ahead had his contract cancelled by mutual consent earlier than sealing a transfer to Al Nassr.

In December, Marcus Rashford was dropped to the bench for a recreation at Wolves after arriving late for a crew assembly.

Sources have advised ESPN that United are hoping use prolonged switch home windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to dump Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek.

The European window closed on Friday with the pair — each out of favour — nonetheless at Old Trafford.

Bailly was not a part of the squad for the summer time tour of the United States and has been coaching with the reserves.