Jadon Sancho Update: Ten Hag reveals what he wants to see from Sancho

Jadon Sancho’s exile could be over if the winger just apologises, says Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Jadon Sancho has not played for Manchester United in so long that we would not blame you if you forgot he was even still a Red Devils player. One person who has not forgotten about Sancho is Erik ten Hag. 

The Dutch manager was asked about Sancho at a press conference before Manchester United vs. Bournemouth this weekend. According to ten Hag, all Sancho needs to do to play for Manchester United again is to apologise.

“It’s up to him,” says ten Hag

Jadon Sancho has not played for Manchester United since August when he came on as a substitute against Nottingham Forest in a 3-2 victory for Manchester United. Sancho was left out of the Red Devils squad for their following match against Arsenal. Ten Hag said Sancho was dropped due to poor training performances during the week.

The 23-year-old winger went on social media after he was dropped, saying “I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself very well in training this week... I've been a scapegoat for a long time which isn't fair!” Sancho has been training by himself away from the rest of the first team squad ever since.  

According to ten Hag, Sancho can return to the squad as soon as he apologises.  

Sancho’s exclusion “is about a culture and every player has to match certain standards and it was about that," Ten Hag explained to the press at a news conference on Friday in Manchester.

Ten Hag made his expectations clear and reiterated that “[Sancho] knows what he has to do if he wants to return and it is up to him. He knows what he has to do, it is up to him.”  

The Manchester United manager concluded his comments on Sancho with a pessimistic note. “We will see what will happen. It is an internal matter, we will see what will happen,” said ten Hag.

Sancho to Dortmund transfer gaining steam

Sancho’s extended bust up with ten Hag has many people expecting that the young Englishman will be heading out of the club in January. According to most soccer betting sites, any Saudi Arabian club is the favourite to sign Sancho, but it now seems like he could be on his way back to Borussia Dortmund.  

Most recent reports claim that Sancho could rejoin Dortmund in a swap deal for Dortmund’s Donyell Malen. The Daily Mail says Manchester United and Dortmund will meet “face to face” this week to confirm the deal.  

The biggest obstacle for the clubs is Sancho’s salary. If he moves to Dortmund, Manchester United may have to subsidise some of Sancho’s salary or give Dortmund a discount transfer fee.

Quiet transfer window expected for Manchester United

In addition to speaking about Jadon Sancho, Erik ten Hag revealed a bit about what Manchester United transfers he expects in January. To put it bluntly, ten Hag does not expect many moves.  

“I don't think that a lot will happen in the window,” Ten Hag said. However, he also added that “We have to be prepared if there are opportunities. If there are certain circumstances or surprises, we have to be ready to act.”

It’s unclear what potential opportunities ten Hag might have been referencing. Some have speculated he was referencing the looming investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which could radically change the club’s transfer plans. 

Whatever happens in January, Ratcliffe investment or not, it seems very likely that Manchester United will not finish the window with Jadon Sancho still on their roster. If Sancho has not apologised to ten Hag by now, we don’t see it ever happening.