Jadon Sancho’s career at Manchester United has been under the spotlight after his tumultuous removal from the first team by manager Erik ten Hag. Recent revelations shed light on the English winger’s lifestyle challenges that have affected his discipline and performance.

 

According to Bild newspaper, Sancho’s disciplinary issues have been a persistent concern for years, dating back to his time with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. His addiction to video games has often led him to arrive late at training sessions, fatigued and lethargic.

Sancho’s tardiness at the training ground is compounded by his habit of staying up all night playing video games and getting minimal sleep, which further affects his performance on the field.

 

During his time with Borussia Dortmund, Sancho not only frequently arrived late for training but also left for trips lasting 2-3 days without notifying the club, displaying a lack of professionalism.

Erik ten Hag attempted to address Sancho’s issues when he joined Manchester United. To ensure Sancho arrived on time for training, the manager set a personalized schedule for him, starting an hour earlier than the rest of the team. However, Sancho continued to arrive late due to his gaming habits.

 

The Dutch manager emphasized the importance of discipline, shedding light on why Sancho was absent for several months last season, citing physical and mental issues. Despite the efforts to revive his career at Manchester United, Sancho publicly criticized his manager, accusing the Red Devils captain of “lying” about his removal from the match against Arsenal on September 3.

 

Teammates advised Sancho to issue a public apology to Erik ten Hag, a potential lifeline to resurrect his Manchester United career, but he has yet to heed their advice. Sancho now finds himself isolated from the first team, prohibited from accessing the dressing room, dining area, or team facilities. Instead, he is relegated to training and playing with the club’s youth team.

When asked about Sancho’s future with the first team after the MU’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace, Erik ten Hag stated, “I don’t know; it depends on him. I’m not discussing players who can’t contribute.”

 

Sancho’s potential return to the Manchester United first team hinges on his willingness to publicly apologize to Erik ten Hag in front of the entire squad. While advice from players like Rashford, Luke Shaw, and Harry Maguire has been offered, it appears the 23-year-old star has yet to take heed of their counsel.