With Jadon Sancho having not been pictured in Manchester United training since October 31 - while he has also not played since the 1-1 draw at Chelsea - it remains unclear when Erik ten Hag will reintroduce him into the first-team squad. Even with a Carabao Cup clash against Burnley to come on Wednesday night, the England international has still not returned to Carrington.
The Manchester Evening News reported that the 22-year-old would not be available for selection against Vincent Kompany's side in midweek, with Sancho - who started an individual training programme in the Netherlands four weeks ago - having not travelled to Spain for the recent warm-weather training camp.
Sancho has made 14 appearances under Erik ten Hag so far this season, with 12 of those coming as a starter. While the attacker has scored three times and recorded one assist, his overall performances, particularly prior to the break in the domestic campaign, were below the level that he, and his manager, were expecting.
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Ten Hag, speaking to British journalists in Spain during the training camp, revealed that the player was still not at the level required to be part of the first-team group. The Dutchman confirmed that the club were planning for Sancho to complete his individual programme before he re-joined the set-up.
"He’s not fit enough to be here," Ten Hag said. "First we didn't see him the last games for United. So he wasn't in the right status, in the right fitness state, so now he's on an individual programme and we want him to finish that programme and hopefully, we see him back soon.
"He’s not here, we want to bring him back as quickly as possible but I can’t give a prognosis of when that will be. I have had several talks with Jadon. I don’t think he will be back next week, no.
"Sometimes there are circumstances with fitness and mood. Now he’s on a physical programme and our aim is to get him back as quickly as possible."
The Reds boss has been keen for Sancho to have time away from the limelight and has spoken about the player on few occasions since he began his individual programme. However, Ten Hag has already made it clear what he wants from the former Borussia Dortmund man - while also telling the player exactly what he needs to improve on in order to progress as a player.
Having arrived for £72.8million, Sancho was under immediate pressure to deliver. The player was expected to kick on this season after struggling to adapt to the Premier League last term. However, despite showing glimpses of his quality, it has simply not worked out that way so far.
Speaking after the Reds' victory over Leicester City, a game in which Sancho scored in, Ten Hag explained what the winger needed to do in order to thrive in a United shirt.
"I think he [Sancho] had quite a good pre-season," Ten Hag said. "He understands now he has to invest in the physical and that is what he did and now he can get the reward and that is what he has to bring. I'm sure it's the start for him.
"With his potential, there's much more room for improvement, he can be even more important and contribute with his creativity and scoring goals and assists. With the defending part, he can be even more important.
"Yes, I think he can [become a prolific goalscorer]. He has the capabilities and he did it also in a different league, but this is Premier League, so the intensity is higher, so he has to adapt to that, mentally and physically. The capabilities are there, the skills."
Having scored just eight goals in 52 appearances since arriving at Old Trafford, Sancho has struggled to make the impact that he would've hoped for since returning to England. At just 22 years of age, there is still plenty of room to grow and improve. Ten Hag, clearly, appreciates the player's talents, and is desperate for him to return and hit the ground running.
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