Sources have informed ESPN that Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United is at risk if he does not issue an apology following his public dispute with manager Erik ten Hag.
Sancho has been instructed to undergo solitary training sessions after publicly accusing Ten Hag of being dishonest regarding his omission from the squad in the 3-1 loss to Arsenal prior to the international break.
Discussions have taken place between the two parties at Carrington this week, but Sancho has declined to offer an apology. Consequently, there is no specified timeline for his return to the first-team squad.
ESPN’s sources have indicated that Ten Hag remains resolute in his requirement for an apology, both privately and in a public statement. If Sancho continues to refuse, it is increasingly likely that he will depart the club when the transfer window reopens in January.
A brief statement issued by United on Thursday read: “Jadon Sancho will remain on a personal training programme away from the first team group pending resolution of a squad discipline issue.”
Jadon Sancho has played just 76 minutes in the Premier League so far this season.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Ten Hag refused to go into specifics about the situation involving Sancho but did comment on his quest to set standards of discipline since his arrival at Old Trafford.
“There was no good culture before I entered last season, so to set good standards, that is what I did and it is my job to control the standards,” he said.
“Of course, it is never someone who only makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines. If staff, players or whoever, there is a structure to cross lines, so you have to be strong.”
Sancho is following a precedent at Manchester United, where players have been requested to apologise to Ten Hag in the past.
An example of this is Cristiano Ronaldo, who faced suspension for a match last season after declining to substitute during a 2-0 victory against Tottenham in October.
Ronaldo was allowed back into the squad after expressing remorse for his actions, which included issuing a statement on social media.
Sancho has deleted the social media post in which he accused Ten Hag of making him a “scapegoat for a long time” but has not apologised for the outburst.
According to an ESPN source, part of Sancho’s discontent stems from his perception that he has been treated differently from other squad members. He is also frustrated by the fact that the club entertained offers for him in the last week of the transfer window, even though late interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq did not materialize into a move.
Sancho’s future is further complicated by his substantial contract at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old is under contract until 2026 and earns more than £300,000 per week, making it challenging to secure a transfer without Manchester United incurring a significant financial loss.