The rift between Jadon Sancho and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag appears to be widening, with the £73 million winger set for another spell on the sidelines.
Ten Hag confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Sancho will play no part in United's crucial Premier League fixture against Aston Villa this weekend, further extending the player's exile from the first-team squad.
The ongoing dispute between player and manager began after the Dutchman publicly criticised Sancho's training performances following United's defeat to Arsenal earlier this month. Sancho responded with a social media post that effectively accused his manager of dishonesty, creating a standoff that shows no signs of resolution.
Training Ground Tensions Continue
Despite having ample time to reconcile, neither party has shown willingness to back down. Sancho has remained training away from the main squad, and Ten Hag's latest comments suggest this separation will continue indefinitely.
'He will not be involved,' Ten Hag stated bluntly when asked about Sancho's availability for the Villa Park encounter. The manager's brief response indicates the matter remains far from resolved behind the scenes at Carrington.
January Exit Looms for Former Dortmund Star
The prolonged absence from matchday squads has sparked intense speculation about Sancho's long-term future at the club. With the January transfer window approaching, a permanent departure from Old Trafford appears increasingly likely for the 23-year-old England international.
Several clubs across Europe are monitoring the situation closely, with a potential return to Borussia Dortmund being rumoured among possible destinations. However, United would likely need to accept a significant financial loss on their initial investment should they decide to cut ties with their troubled star.
As the Red Devils prepare to face Unai Emery's Aston Villa without their controversial winger, the Sancho saga represents another challenging chapter in Ten Hag's efforts to rebuild the fallen giants of English football.
