Jadon Sancho has stated that he has long been unfairly blamed for issues, as he responded to manager Erik ten Hag's statement that the winger was not included in the Arsenal game due to subpar training performances. The 23-year-old did not join the team for the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, during which two late goals secured a 3-1 victory for the opposition.
Sancho's absence from the squad was noticeable as he had previously made appearances as a substitute in their first three matches. Ten Hag later disclosed that he had been dropped from the team due to poor performance during training.
"The reason we didn't include Jadon was his subpar training performances," commented the United boss following the defeat.
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He has recorded a total of 12 goals in 82 matches across various competitions.
"At Manchester United, you need to consistently excel, and we have the flexibility to make decisions regarding our offensive lineup. Consequently, he was not chosen for this particular match."
On X, previously called Twitter, Sancho expressed, "Please exercise caution in accepting all information you come across! I am unwilling to tolerate individuals spreading entirely false statements. My behavior in training this week has been exemplary.
"There are underlying variables at play here that I choose not to discuss. I have unjustly been made a scapegoat for an extended period of time, which is not equitable. All I aspire to do is play football joyfully and make meaningful contributions to my team."
I hold great respect for all decisions made by the coaching staff. I am fortunate to play alongside exceptional teammates, and I am grateful for this opportunity despite the weekly challenges. Irrespective of obstacles, I remain committed to fighting for this badge.
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Sancho's form has been inconsistent ever since he made the move to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £73m in 2021. Despite representing England internationally, he has only managed to score 12 goals in 82 games across various competitions for the Red Devils.
After making a strong start in Ten Hag's first season, he was unable to play from October 22 to February 1. During this time, he had to watch the World Cup from a distance and followed an individual winter fitness program in the Netherlands. Upon his return, Sancho participated in the Carabao Cup final victory against Newcastle and concluded the season with seven goals and three assists.