Sancho, a 23-year-old winger, has not played for the first team since August after being publicly sacked by manager Erik ten Hag. After being dropped from the squad due to a lack of effort in training, Sancho took to social media to criticize his manager and claimed he had been made a “scapegoat.” Since then, he has not been allowed back into the first team, and ten Hag has refused to offer him a way back until he apologizes. Given the current state of affairs, Sancho’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain; Juventus is interested in signing him in January, and former team Borussia Dortmund is also keeping an eye on the situation.
This week, rumors surfaced that a swap deal involving Donyell Malen of Dortmund could be investigated. According to Sky Germany, Sancho would be open to returning to his previous team, but there is currently no communication with Dortmund. The same source claims that Sancho has a “secret wish” to start over at United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is anticipated to complete his minority takeover in the coming weeks, acquiring a quarter of the club, and taking immediate command of football affairs. The source also suggests that Sancho may be willing to wait to speak with “new decision-makers” and that his circumstances at United could still alter.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has hinted that Sancho might still be able to work with him in the future—but only if he issues a public apology, which Sancho hasn’t done thus far.
Ten Hag said, “So it is about a culture and every player has to match certain standards, and it was about that,” in response to the question of whether Sancho must depart during the January transfer window.
He is aware of what needs to happen there and what he must do to go back. He has the final say in it.
When asked if the current state of affairs could not last, Ten Hag said once more, “He knows what he has to do.” He has the final say.
When questioned further about whether Sancho’s salary was being lost as a result of the circumstance, Ten Hag said, “I think that is an internal matter.” We’ll have to wait and see.