In a dramatic turn of events at Carrington, Manchester United outcasts Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford have been subjected to a brutal new training regime, forced to work out away from the first-team squad.
The shocking development comes after the high-profile duo were conspicuously absent from the matchday squad that secured a vital 2-1 victory against Aston Villa at a bouncing Villa Park on Sunday.
Ten Hag's Iron Fist
Manager Erik ten Hag has taken a hardline approach, implementing a clear divide between those who are part of his immediate plans and those who are not. The Dutchman's decision underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards any perceived lack of commitment.
While the exact reasons for their exclusion from the Villa trip remain shrouded in mystery, the subsequent banishment to individual training sessions sends an unequivocal message about the standards required at the club.
A Tale of Two Struggles
For both players, this represents a new low in their respective challenging seasons. Marcus Rashford, last season's talisman, has suffered a dramatic dip in form, a shadow of the player who netted 30 goals.
The situation for Jadon Sancho is even more stark. The £73 million winger hasn't kicked a ball for the Red Devils since his very public falling-out with Ten Hag in early September, following his claims on social media that he had been made a "scapegoat."
What Comes Next?
This segregation raises serious questions about their long-term futures at the Theatre of Dreams. With the January transfer window now shut, an exit before the summer seems impossible, leaving both players in a state of purgatory.
All eyes will now be on whether either player can fight their way back into the manager's good graces or if their time at Manchester United is inevitably drawing to a close.
