Erik ten Hag refuses to refer to Jadon Sancho by name in first comments on bitter dispute

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has broken his silence on Jadon Sancho after the winger was placed on a personal training programme.

Sancho had a public dispute with the manager following his failure to make the matchday squad against Arsenal.

Ten Hag said the winger was not included due to his sub-par training performances - something Sancho disagreed with on social media.

The pair were due to hold 'clear-the-air talks', and Sancho's deletion of his post on Tuesday appeared to indicate they had gone well.

But according to Sky Sports, Ten Hag wanted the 23-year-old to apologise for his post - something which Sancho failed to do. It is claimed that the Dutchman is unwilling integrate the player until he apologises.

On Thursday, United released a short club statement that read: "Jadon Sancho will remain on a personal training programme away from the first team group, pending resolution of a squad discipline issue."

A report from the Manchester Evening News claims Sancho is 'open to leaving' Old Trafford in January if he isn't playing.

Now, Ten Hag has broken his silence on the matter.

Ten Hag breaks silence on Sancho

Speaking in his press conference ahead of United's Premier League clash against Brighton this weekend, Ten Hag was asked about the Sancho row and what will happen in the short-term.

He said: "We work on the feedback, give the team feedback. I think we played very well against Arsenal. We trained very well, we worked very well. At minimum, we had to get a draw there, I think we should have won there. But we didn't.

"We are ready to fight Brighton, and we have a lot of energy. We have a good fight, so we are ready for it."

When pressed on Sancho again, he added: "I think everything's been said. As I said, the squad is strong, the squad is in a good spirit, a good mood. And we go into the game.

"You have sometimes setbacks in situations, players are injured or other players are for some reason unavailable. That's why you construct a squad. The squad is very good, players that are available are very motivated and to put in a good performance."

When asked if he felt he had a duty to be a 'father figure' to some of United's players, he said: "With this generation, it's about team construction and the group dynamic. It's always about the team - the team is ahead of anything else.

"But in the team, everyone plays his role, everyone is different, there are different characters. You have to manage those characters. But the team is above anything else.

"The club asked me, because there was a no-good culture before last season, to set some standards. That's what I did. It's my job to control the standards.

"For players and staff, if there is a structure, they cross lines, you have to be strong."