Jadon Sancho won't be available for Man United's Premier League return

Jadon Sancho WON’T be available for Man United’s return to Premier League action on Tuesday, as the struggling winger continues to train away from the club amid concerns about his physical and mental fitness

  • Manchester United return to league action against Nottingham Forest next week
  • Erik ten Hag confirmed it is unlikely Jadon Sancho will play any part in the game
  • Coach said the England winger wasn’t ‘physically or mentally’ fit to play
  • Sancho has been training away from his team-mates with a coach in Holland
  • Ten Hag has brought in mind coaches to hold counselling sessions with players
  • Reds returned to action after World Cup with a Carabao Cup win over Burnley 

Jadon Sancho is unlikely to be available for Manchester United’s clash with Nottingham Forest over Christmas as the struggling England star continues his rehabilitation away from the club.

Sancho hasn’t played for United since October and missed the training camp in Spain earlier this month because manager Erik ten Hag said he wasn’t physically or mentally ready to take part.

The 22-year-old, who has also taken a break from social media, has been in Holland working with coaches recommended by Ten Hag.

Jadon Sancho is unlikely to appear in Manchester United’s return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday amid concerns over his mental wellbeing

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (right) has admitted he does not know when £73million Sancho (second right) will return to action for the club

United have not put a time limit on Sancho’s return but Ten Hag doesn’t expect him to play against Forest at Old Trafford on Tuesday. ‘I don’t think so,’ replied the Dutchman when asked about his availability.

After Ten Hag described Sancho’s issues as ‘a combination of physical but also mentally’, it emerged this week that the United players are working with Dutch sports psychologist Rainier Koers.

Ten Hag added: ‘He is here continually the whole season working in the coaching staff, working with the squad but also with the staff and departments. That’s his job to get the right spirit in the individual and the team.’

A brief video emerged last month of Sancho dribbling around training mannequins by himself during a coaching session in Holland

Sancho has not played since October 22 due to illness and it has raised concerns over the gifted Londoner, even more so after he shut down his social media accounts last month

Man United fixtures 

Premier League unless stated

December 27 Nottingham Forest (H)

December 31 Wolves (A)

January 3 Bournemouth (H)

January 6 Everton (H)

FA Cup third round

January 14 Manchester City (H)

Ten Hag will wait for Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane to return to the club on Monday before deciding if they can play any part against Forest.

The two United centre-backs faced off in the World Cup final between eventual winners Argentina and France, and will be the last players to report back from the tournament in Qatar.

If Harry Maguire recovers from illness, he and Victor Lindelof are set to start against Forest with Ten Hag unsure if Martinez and Varane will be ready.

‘I don’t know, I couldn’t answer,’ said the United boss. ‘He (Martinez) is still celebrating in Argentina. I can understand that it’s very emotional.

‘Winning the World Cup for your country is the highest you can be. But also Martinez has to accept that on the 27th the Premier League comes back.

‘Varane, of course, is disappointed but can also be proud of being in the final. All that he has achieved in his career already is massive, as a team and a player. 

‘He can still be proud to win so many trophies. Getting to the final is a massive achievement. His nation were so close.’

Ten Hag and his back-room staff have tried to tailor each player’s return to domestic action based on their specific circumstances post World Cup.

Lisandro Martinez is expected back at United on Monday after winning the World Cup

Raphael Varane was on the other side of the outcome as Argentina beat France on Sunday

He added: ‘We have a plan. It’s all individual based. No-one is the same or has the same programme or minutes. It depends on the positions and the age of the players.

‘We all knew the restart was five or six days after the World Cup final. Everyone has to be ready and accept it. The manager and coaching staff, of course, but also the players – they have to accept it. 

‘They want trophies. We spoke about the tough competition, and we have to be ready for it and deal with it: do it smart and hopefully get the right performance and results.’




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