Exclusive: Erik ten Hag's Bold Move Set to Determine Jadon Sancho's Future at Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains firm in his stance against Jadon Sancho, showing no signs of backing down. Sancho has been absent from the club's lineup this month, following his statement on social media that he has been unfairly criticized for a prolonged period of time, made on September 3.

The winger was not included in the squad for the defeat at Arsenal because of his "performance in training," as stated by Ten Hag. United had hoped for a resolution during the international break, with director of football John Murtough and CEO Richard Arnold attempting to mediate.

The resolution remains elusive as both parties have yet to find a compromise, with United insisting on an apology from Sancho to Ten Hag as a crucial step.

Ten Hag cannot tolerate a public undermining of his authority by a player, which essentially accused him of dishonesty, clearly violating disciplinary regulations.

The Professional Footballers' Association has expressed its support for Sancho, who believes he has been treated unjustly. Additionally, senior players at United have made efforts to rectify the situation. While some players empathize with Sancho, it is widely agreed that he should not have shared the since-deleted message on X, previously referred to as Twitter, which garnered over 60 million views.

Sancho deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday morning and has been excluded from the first-team group since September 14. United clarifies that he is not in "isolation" but is currently following an individual training plan at Carrington's Academy facilities.

The 23-year-old continues to receive guidance from fitness personnel and coaches, as well as medical assistance, and has access to all necessary resources at the training facility. The club states that he is temporarily operating separate from the first-team setup until the matter is resolved.

Sancho experienced a similar situation under Ten Hag last season, when he participated in a personalized fitness regimen in the Netherlands and observed the World Cup from a distance.

Sancho was absent from United's lineup for an extended period from October 22 to February 1. However, upon his return, he played in the Carabao Cup final victory against Newcastle. Throughout the last season, he contributed seven goals and three assists for United. Concerns are now arising regarding the right-wing position, as Sancho's most recent absence coincides with Antony's delayed return to the club due to assault allegations.

The Brazilian winger denies the claims but has been placed on a leave of absence on full pay and is not suspended.

What Ten Hag and Sancho said about each other

"He was not chosen for the squad due to his performance in training," Ten Hag explained in response to questions about Sancho's absence following the 3-1 loss to Arsenal. "At Manchester United, one must consistently meet the required level. In this particular match, we made selections in the attacking lineup."

Following Ten Hag's remarks in the press conference after the match, Sancho released a statement on X stating, "Please refrain from believing everything you come across! I refuse to tolerate false accusations made against me. I have performed exceptionally well in training this entire week."

I think there are additional factors behind this issue that I won't delve into. I have been unfairly blamed for a significant period of time!

"All I desire is to engage in football with a joyful demeanor and make a positive impact on my team."