Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho ‘showdown talks’ at Manchester United might spring a surprise

Jadon Sancho’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain after he responded to Erik ten Hag’s comments on social networks.

Players who have never played internationally reported to Carrington for training with Manchester United on Monday.

Jadon Sancho was absent from Arsenal’s defeat at the Emirates, meaning his break was longer than most players, but it seemed even longer after calling on Erik ten Hag online.

Ten Hag, speaking after the defeat against Arsenal, said Sancho was removed from the team due to unsatisfactory training results and the player responded to this article “don’t believe everything you read ” with an unusual reaction

It’s been nine days since Sancho sent that social media post, which is still pinned at the top of his X account, but it must have affected the player for his future at the club the ministry is currently uncertain.

Although Ten Hag intended to provoke Sancho’s reaction on the training field with his comment, it caused an unpredictable wave of public opinion and this player will certainly have to bear the brunt of it suffer the consequences.

It remains to be seen what these consequences will be. Ten Hag has a reputation for being disciplined and the vast majority of the dressing room responded positively to this approach, resulting in improved performances last season.

Ten Hag and Sancho are said to have held talks at Carrington on Monday after the non-internationals returned from break and although the outcome of that meeting is yet to be revealed it is possible will not be as expected. Some have suggested that Sancho may have played his last match for the club, but at the time of writing, this appears highly unlikely following the decision to delay Antony’s return to training until further notice new newspaper.

In October, Ten Hag imposed a one-match ban on Cristiano Ronaldo for blatantly refusing to come on as a substitute and walking in the tunnel against Tottenham, and a similar punishment seemed appropriate. with Sancho.

“He [Ronaldo] must know that we are always [judged] on when and how we behave today. Especially in top sport, it’s about today. “No It’s not about age or reputation,” Ten Hag said about the situation.

“When you are in top sport you get judged by the moment and how you act. We have to be aware of that – everyone, not only Cristiano, as a team, as a manager and as a club. He has to live as anyone else along certain standards we set.”

There will be repercussions for Sancho, but the extent of their severity will be decided by how remorseful and willing the player is to accept responsibility, and how disrespected Ten Hag feels after being publicly spoken out against.

Over a week since it was sent, the post is still pinned at the top of his social media account and something is clearly going to have to give, meaning that if Sancho wants to wear a red shirt again, it seems he’ll have to delete it.

The post remaining on his page would be a constant reminder of player undermining manager. You can’t go forward like that and it would be a surprise if the statement wasn’t brought down before the Brighton game this weekend.

It’s also obvious there’s an added incentive for both Ten Hag and Sancho to have successful peace talks because of Antony’s indefinite unavailability, which would leave Facundo Pellistri as the only natural option on the right wing, with Amad a long-term absentee due to injury.

Pellistri has made just 12 appearances for United and that includes a single start in a meaningless game against Real Betis in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16 when the tie had already been won.

Amad’s return is not imminent and even if it was, he’s unproven in the Premier League, despite showing potential in the Championship.

Sancho has been incredibly disappointing in Manchester since his move from Borussia Dortmund but Ten Hag might feel that he needs him in the absence of Antony.

An olive branch could be offered to Sancho and whether he accepts that is down to him.