Sancho: Concerns As ten Hag Declares Man United Star Unfit to Play Soon
- Erik ten Hag has revealed Jadon Sancho is not yet physically and mentally ready for training
- The winger was training alone and was absent from the Red Devil's mid-season camp in Spain
- Sancho was disappointed after he was left out of England's 2022 World Cup squad for Qatar
Manchester United Head Coach Erik ten Hag has expressed concerns that Jadon Sancho is nowhere near optimum conditions to play competitive football soon.
Sancho has conspicuously missed two of Manchester United's mid-season friendlies, as he continues to work on his own fitness program.
Source: Getty Images
Ten Hag has claimed that Gareth Southgate's decision to omit Sancho from his UEFA Nations League and World up squads might have taken a toll on the winger.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward started the season brightly under ten Hag, but waned off in subsequent weeks. He last played during a one-all draw against Chelsea on October 22 at Stamford Bridge, where he was hooked off after 51 minutes.
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No timeline for Sancho return
Ten Hag has now refused to put a timeline on when the 22-year-old can be expected back.
"He's on a physical programme and our aim is to get him back as quickly as possible. That is what we are doing now to try to get him back there. It is a combination of physically and mentally, but I can't give a prognosis of when that will be," the Dutch coach said as quoted by BBC Sports.
Daily Mail adds that Sancho turned off his social media accounts last month to focus on his programs and family. He has been training in the Netherlands under the guidance of coaches recommended by ten Hag.
Man United resume their Premier League campaign on December 27 with a clash against Nottingham Forrest. Before that, they play Burnley in the Carabao Cup on December 21.
Chelsea interested in signing Sancho
Even as this unfolds, Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Sancho, despite his underwhelming form for the Red Devils.
Sports Brief had earlier reported that Sancho had failed to leave a mark at Old Trafford, since his return to the Premier League from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021.
Prior to the move, the Englishman had made a name for himself in the German top flight thanks to his incredible spell with the Bundesliga side.
Source: Sports Brief News