When asked about his 23-year-old’s absence from the matchday squad after his team’s 3-1 loss against Arsenal, the Dutch coach chastised him.
‘I’ve Been Made a Scapegoat,’ says Jadon Sancho of Erik ten Hag. Social Media Posts by Manchester United Players
When asked why Sancho was left out, Ten Hag told reporters, “You have to reach a level every day at Manchester United, and we can make choices on the frontline, so he wasn’t selected for this game.”
In response, the winger took to social media to respond to his manager’s remarks. “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,” Sancho said in his article.
He went on to express his respect for the coaching staff’s actions and his appreciation and dedication to the club before declaring, “I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what.”
Jadon Sancho’s Struggles Persist
Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million in July 2021, the English forward has struggled to find consistency. He appeared to have a chance of garnering Ten Hag’s approval after his head coach called him a “brilliant footballer” after scoring an important goal against local rivals Leeds last season.
Despite the acclaim and a promising pre-season tour, Sancho has battled for minutes in the 2023/24 Premier League season and was left out of United’s trip to North London.
Manchester United Needs to Regroup After a 3-1 Loss
The international break could not have come at a better moment for the Red Devils, with the latest dressing room turmoil adding to the club’s gloomy atmosphere.
There were reasons to be optimistic in the run-up to their journey to the Emirates. Despite poor performances, Manchester City had six points from three games and had only lost to an excellent Tottenham Hotspur side led by new manager Ange Postecoglou.
The spectacular manner in which Arsenal defeated United, as well as the argument between Sancho and his boss, are certain to have soured the mood. Ten Hag and his coaching staff will need to use the international break to reassess the problems with his team’s tactical setup and find a method to boost morale in the squad.
His team will return to Old Trafford on September 16th to face a Brighton & Hove Albion side that is riding high after a 3-1 win against Newcastle United on Saturday evening.