Journalist Dean Jones has suggested that Manchester United are now ‘stuck’ with Jadon Sancho.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones said: “Ten Hag wants to give him opportunities, he knows the potential he’s got and he’s trying to unlock that. Equally, United can’t really sell him. There’s nobody out there at the moment that’s going to give them back the money they spent on him.
“They’re kind of stuck with Sancho and if that’s the case, they need to get a tune out of him.”
It seems like a harsh assessment considering what has happened with Sancho this season.
The winger spent over two months away from the first team after being instructed by Erik ten Hag to travel to the Netherlands for a curated programme.
At the time, Ten Hag confirmed that Sancho was absent from the winter training camp in Spain as he was not fit enough to participate, and there was also a mental aspect to consider.
“I would like to have Jadon back as soon as possible,” Ten Hag told reporters, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“But also in this, I can’t force this process and so I will do everything that’s in my power but some processes you can’t force and this is one of them.
“So I have also to show patience, although I don’t have the patience because yeah, you are right, we have a lack of opportunities in the frontline, players who are available and capable to contribute in the Premier League, not only the Premier League but the highest standard of top football.
“And Jadon is one – when he is fit – he will contribute and then we have an extra option and so we will have more chance of winning a lot of games.
“We have some hurdles to take but I think he’s in a good direction. And what I say I can’t force this process and so I don’t do [it]. But I would be really happy when he returns to the squad for team training, so that will be the next step.
“In this moment he is not fit enough, no. I said, physical. But physical is also the connection with mental. But I think he is now making good progress on the physical part and that will help him. I hope he can return quickly but I can’t say a duration of how long it will be.
“He was in the Netherlands but also the process could have been in England as well. But the good thing is he is back in Carrington and that shows he is making progress and he is ready for the next step.
“I think many top athletes, in football and also in other sports, sometimes it’s good to go away from the place where you are at daily to get a new vibe and a new experience. People have a different approach and this can give you the right push to get back on track.
“Football players aren’t robots. No one is the same. I think for everyone, you need an individual approach. We thought that, in cooperation with Jadon, it was the best choice.”
It sounds like Ten Hag has a lot of patience with Sancho, although the Daily Mail claims that is wearing thin at the moment.
But I still think it’s harsh to claim United are ‘stuck’ with him.
Sancho, who earns £275k-a-week at United (via BBC Sport), still has a lot to prove to justify his £73m price tag.
We’ll back Sancho to do that forever long he’s wearing a Manchester United shirt.
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