- 9 hours ago
The sign that Sancho’s Man Utd career may be over
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 10 Jan 2023 17:57 GMT
- 4 min read
Jadon Sancho has been left out of Manchester United’s trip to Spain next week, further fuelling reports that he will be offloaded in January.
United play friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis during the winter training camp that has been organised for players who are not at the World Cup.
Officially, Sancho has been left out in order to continue working on his individual training programme.
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This follows on from Sancho travelling to the Netherlands to train with coaches recommended by United manager Erik ten Hag.
What did Man Utd say?
“Jadon Sancho is continuing his individual training programme as part of a process to get back to his highest level,” United said in a statement on their website. “The club is fully supporting him in this.”
There have been reports over the past week or so that United are prepared to sell – or at least loan – Sancho out in January.
Sancho has had a disastrous time at Man Utd since his €85 million move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021.
The 22-year-old has scored just eight goals and four assists in a total of 52 appearances for the Red Devils since joining.
His decline can be quantified by the fact that he's played just 72 minutes for the national team since moving to Old Trafford and he was of course left out of England’s World Cup squad.
In fact, he was never really considered for a spot in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad, which shows how much his level had dropped since arriving in the Premier League.
Sancho has disappointed under three managers at Man Utd; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and then Erik ten Hag.
He started the current season well with goals against Liverpool and Leicester before his form plummeted again
He missed the final four games before the World Cup, officially due to an unspecified illness.
Sancho down the pecking order
Despite the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has had his contract at Old Trafford mutually terminated following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan, Sancho is still well down the pecking order.
The recent emergence of Alejandro Garnacho has further complicated matters, as has the signing of Antony and the form of Marcus Rashford.
Furthermore, Man Utd's pursuit of PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo means that Sancho could be pushed even further down the pecking order. The Dutch star has been used centrally by Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal, but typically operates as a left winger at club level.
Is Sancho’s absence from Man Utd’s trip to Spain another sign that the ex-Dortmund star is on his way out in January?
