Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that he is unsure about Jadon Sancho’s comeback to first-team action.
Sancho missed the winter camp in Spain because he was engaged in an individual training programme in the Netherlands.
The England star is still away from the first-team group and is unsure of when he will return to Old Trafford.
Sancho is currently undergoing a physical training programme, and it is crucial that he regains full fitness in time for the second half of the season.
Ten Hag didn’t predict the English star’s return date but came to the conclusion that the €60 million-rated star must also work on his mental game in order to regain his best form.
As reported by The Express, the Dutch manager said:
“Sometimes there are circumstances with fitness and mood.” He was not in the right status or fitness state. I have had several talks with Jadon. “He’s on a physical program, and our aim is to get him back as quickly as possible, but I can’t give a prognosis of when that will be.”
“When the league started, he played some good games, but after we got a drop in levels. Sometimes you don’t know why or what is causing it. Most of the time, it comes slowly. “First you observe, but the stats back it up.”
“At the start of the season, he had goals and assists, but his key moments and key actions became less and less. It’s a combination of physical and mental. “We’re trying to do research and get him back.”
After a successful preseason, Sancho started the season off brightly for United. Before the September international break, he scored three goals, including the decisive goal against Leicester City.
On his return, he experienced a considerable decline in fitness. Before being an unused substitution against West Ham United and Sheriff Tiraspol, he was substituted out early in a handful of games. He missed four games after that because he was deemed sick. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Alejandro Garnacho seized the opportunity and played so well.
Sancho must now show his fitness and play at a higher level upon his return because Garnacho is now obviously ahead of him in the pecking order for a starting spot. It is evident from Ten Hag’s update that the English star won’t be accessible when the season resumes this month. Sancho should make a quick recovery since he still has a lot to prove to United.
One thing is certain: Sancho will need to regain the manager’s trust. Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga, Antony Garnacho, and other players are currently preferred over him.
