Ten Hag comment proves Man Utd NEED Saudi Arabia to sign transfer flop
Cameron Smith
- 3 Sept 2023 20:17 BST
- 4 min read
Manchester United star Jadon Sancho was left out of their squad to face Arsenal and Erik ten Hag has admitted his omission was not injury or illness related.
Sancho, 23, joined the Red Devils from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but has not lived up to his €85 million price tag.
The Englishman, who has 23 international caps, was even sent on an individual training programme halfway through last season.
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He appeared as a substitute in each of Man Utd’s opening three fixtures of the new Premier League campaign, but was not included in the matchday squad for their 2-1 loss to Arsenal.
Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund was selected instead and the Dane made his Red Devils debut off the bench.
Academy prospects Hannibal Mejbri and Daniel Gore also made the squad, as did Altay Bayindir and Sergio Reguilon, following their Deadline Day moves to Old Trafford.
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What has Ten Hag said?
After the defeat, Ten Hag was asked why Sancho did not make the 18-man squad. The former Ajax boss replied: “Jadon wasn’t picked [today] on his performance in training. You have to reach the level every day at Manchester United. That’s why in this game he wasn't selected.”
Sancho still has three years left on his contract at Old Trafford, but his time at the club looks as though it could come to an end soon.
The Saudi Pro League transfer window remains open, and Man Utd could turn to the richest division in football in the hope of offloading Sancho. Saudi Arabia has proven to be a get out of jail free card for many top clubs this summer, with Chelsea among those to exploit the market in the Middle East.
The Blues sold Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia, while Liverpool and Man City did the same with Fabinho and Aymeric Laporte, among others, respectively.
Sancho has scored 12 goals and six assists in 82 Man Utd appearances.
