Jadon Sancho has finally been banished from first-team training as a disciplinary measure by Manchester United. The winger was made to train alone by the club after he refused to apologise to manager Erik ten Hag.
United confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the 23-year-old had been put on a ‘personal training programme’ as they decide how to discipline the attacker for his public outburst.
Sancho was livid following United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal. Ten Hag claimed the winger missed the matchday squad selection due to his less-than-impressive performances in training.
The winger had reacted to the accusation with a lengthy riposte posted on social media platform X. He had accused Ten Hag of making him a ‘scapegoat’.
READ ALSO: Jadon Sancho makes a u-turn on Erik ten Hag
Meanwhile, the pair were believed to have held clear-the-air talks at Carrington on Monday. Sancho had deleted his message the next day, but that did little to ease the tensions.
Football director John Murtough and CEO Richard Arnold were both brought into the dispute to de-escalate the situation. But it appears Sancho could be training by himself for a while.
According to The Athletic, Sancho was asked to apologise to Ten Hag in a reconciliation. But the winger has declined to do so.
United’s hierarchy have sided their manager and have decided to banish Sancho from first-team training. Again, he will not be in the matchday squad for the weekend’s clash with Brighton.
Their statement 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.’
While Sancho is in exile, he will not be able to train with the first-team squad and he will maintain his fitness at United’s academy facilities.
Reacting to Ten Hag’s comments about his performances in training, Sancho had tweeted: ‘Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week.
‘I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into. I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!
‘All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!’