It wasn\u2019t too long ago when Erik ten Hag, noticing a dip in Jadon Sancho\u2019s training levels, put an arm around the player’s shoulder and compassionately moved out of the glare of the spotlight and came up with concrete measures to deal with his charge\u2019s physical and mental issues.<\/p>\n
This saw Sancho soon training alone for eight weeks during the World Cup in December, including an intense spell within the safe confines of Dutch amateur club OJC Rosmalen where he worked with coaches trusted by Ten Hag. He did not see action for United for more than three months. At the end of January Sancho was re-integrated into the squad, which was seen as a victory for Ten Hag’s man-management and pastoral care.<\/p>\n
However, fast-forwarding ahead into the following season, when the Dutchman this time had reason to question Sancho’s effort and attitude again ahead of the recent Sunday’s defeat at the Emirates stadium, the response seemed more combustible than compassionate.<\/p>\n
Ten Hag said Sancho had been left in Manchester as there were issues with his performance levels in training.\u00a0Ths immediately prompted the 23-year-old to react furiously on social media, turning on his manager and actually accusing of lying and making him a scapegoat.<\/p>\n
The subsequent fall-out has left Sancho’s future at Old Trafford dangling in limbo at the end of a summer in which United were allegedly prepared to listen to offers around \u00a345million for him.<\/p>\n
What immediately comes to mind at this juncture is Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s eviction from the club for publicly challenging Ten Hag , although Sancho is nowhere as hard-nosed as the Portuguese striker was.<\/p>\n
Whatever happens now remains to be seen but the issue has once again dredged up the disciplinary problems and personal issues that have hung over the gifted winger like the sword of Damocles throughout his career.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s now understood that Chelsea considered signing Sancho this summer but harbored concerns about his mindset and opted for Manchester City’s Cole Palmer instead.<\/p>\n
England boss Gareth Southgate continues to keep more than the proverbial arm\u2019s length away from Sancho and his name was well away from the conversation when the England manager named his squad for the upcoming Euro qualifier against Ukraine and friendly against Scotland.<\/p>\n