EPL: Jadon Sancho banned from Manchester United first-team training

Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United has been further cast into uncertainty as the club has announced that the England winger will undergo solo training due to a “squad discipline issue.”

Sancho had been omitted from the squad for United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal earlier this month, a decision made by United manager Erik ten Hag due to what he perceived as subpar performances during training.

In response to his omission, the 23-year-old took to social media, suggesting that he had been unfairly targeted for a long time.

United issued a statement, stating, “Jadon Sancho will continue with an individual training program apart from the first-team squad while a resolution is sought for a squad discipline matter.”

When he arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund two years ago for £73 million ($91 million), Sancho was widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in European football. However, he has struggled to justify that hefty price tag, tallying just 12 goals in 82 appearances.

During last season, Sancho was granted a leave of absence from October to February to undertake a personalized winter fitness program in the Netherlands.

Erik ten Hag has established himself as a strict disciplinarian, even with some of the club’s star players. Cristiano Ronaldo’s second stint at the club was cut short after he criticized the former Ajax manager in a television interview, and Marcus Rashford was benched for a match last season for arriving late to a team meeting.

Sancho’s absence adds to a challenging start to the season for Manchester United, both on and off the field. Ten Hag’s squad has already lost two of their first four Premier League matches.

The team is also without Brazilian winger Antony, who has been granted leave to address allegations of domestic abuse made by his former girlfriend.

Furthermore, Manchester United faced criticism for their handling of Mason Greenwood, who has been loaned to Spanish side Getafe, as they initially considered reintegrating the striker into the team. However, public outcry led to the decision to part ways.

Protests against the club’s owners, the Glazer family, continue to occur frequently at home matches, with the process of selling the club appearing to stall.