Erik ten Hag has offered an update on Manchester United's €85 million (R1.5 billion) star who has been missing from training.
While the 2022 FIFA World Cup was taking place, United went to Spain for a mid-season training camp with those first-team players who were not at the tournament in Qatar, but Jadon Sancho was not included in the squad list for the trip to the Iberian Peninsula.
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It was later revealed that the winger was undertaking an individual training programme in the Netherlands at manager Erik ten Hag's request.
Despite club football returning once the World Cup ended late in December, Sancho continued to train by himself until this week.
The 22-year-old is now back at United's Carrington training base, but Ten Hag believes the England international is not yet physically and mentally ready to train with the squad, despite United being set to play three matches in the next eight days and the team being short in attack following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in November.
"I would like him back as soon as possible, but I can't force this process," the 52-year-old said, per the Irish Independent.
"I have to show patience, although I don't have patience because, you are right, we have a lack of options in the front line.
"Jadon is one – when he is fit – who can contribute and then we have an extra option so we will have more chance of winning a lot of games.
"We have some hurdles still to take, but I think he's in a good direction. I can't force this process so I don't."
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Sancho was signed from Borussia Dortmund for €85 million (R1.5 billion) in 2021, but has struggled to replicate the goal contributions he achieved with the Bundesliga club since, having managed just eight goals and four assists as a Red Devil to date.
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