Erik ten Hag breaks silence on Jadon Sancho 'issues' for first time since winger's Man Utd departure

Erik ten Hag has spoken of Jadon Sancho for the first time since the winger re-joined Borussia Dortmund on loan.

Earlier this week, United and England star Sancho rejoined Dortmund on loan for the rest of the 2023/24 season.

The 23-year-old moved to the Old Trafford club in a £73million deal from Dortmund in July 2021 but has not played for United since August 26 after falling out with manager Ten Hag. Sancho has been training away from the first team since September.

On the matter, the Ten Hag told Sky Sports: "He's now at Dortmund. After he was signed, one year before [Ten Hag arrived] there were issues.

"We had had issues all the way through.

"So you can make out that his stay at Manchester United so far has not been a success. So now he's gone back to Borussia Dortmund.

"I wish him the best of luck. We all hope he will do very well there and he will be successful."

Sancho's relationship with Ten Hag deteriorated after he was omitted from the squad for a defeat at Arsenal in early September, with the United manager stating it was because of his standard of performance in training.

Sancho rejected those claims in a social media post, adding that he was being made a "scapegoat".

It had long been suggested that Sancho would only return to the first time fold at United if he apologised publicly to his manager, something the player never did.

When asked if the outcome would have been different if Ten Hag had received a public apology, the United boss added: "We have said that before and I don't want to return to that point every time.

"He knows what he should do. We have made that clear and it was also so clear and obvious about his performance. Let's stop this discussion. He is at Dortmund and we wish him the best of luck."

Ten Hag comments contradict former United interim boss Ralf Rangnick's perception of Sancho.

"Had he publicly apologised to you, would there have been a different outcome?"

Erik ten Hag answers questions on what went wrong for Jadon Sancho at Manchester United 🔴 pic.twitter.com/WdhHT1mxpT

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 14, 2024

Rangnick insisted early this week that in his half-a-season at Old Trafford Sancho’s attitude never came into question.

Rangnick said, via Sky Germany: “He had his best time in Dortmund and, when he was healthy, he always played for me. However, he wasn't as carefree as in Dortmund.

“But that was also due to the overall situation. When he was fit, he was set and did well under me. He no longer had a chance in Manchester. He now has to get back into a rhythm and really into shape in Dortmund. From his point of view, the change makes perfect sense.

“In the six months I had him, there wasn't a single discipline problem. On the contrary. He is a calm and pleasant guy.”