Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United is in doubt after hit back at manager Erik ten Hag for dropping the winger for Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.
The 23-year-old player didn’t go to London for Sunday’s Premier League game at Arsenal, which United lost 3-1. He said he was a “scapegoat.”
Since he came off the bench in United’s first three games, the English winger’s absence stood out.
At the Emirates, Ten Hag didn’t have many experienced attackers to choose from. Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Facundo Pellistri were among the substitutes.
The Red Devils were on track for a 1-1 draw, but they gave up two goals in stoppage time to lose badly and fall to 11th in the Premier League table.
“Jadon, on his performances in training, we did not select him,” the Dutchman said after the game.
“You have to reach a level every day at Manchester United and we can make choices in the front line. So for this game he was not selected.”
But Sancho fought back with a strong social media post later on Sunday.
“Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!”
He added: “All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and (am) grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!”
Since moving to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million ($92 million) in 2021, Sancho hasn’t been able to keep up his good play.
He has played 82 times for United and scored 12 goals in all of those games.
Sancho, a youth player for Manchester City, had a good start to Ten Hag’s first season, but he didn’t play from late October until February. He missed the World Cup and did a personal fitness programme in the Netherlands during that time.
After he got back, he played in the League Cup final win over Newcastle. At the end of the 2022–23 season, he had seven goals and three assists.
Photo by EPA/JUSTIN LANE
