Huge blow for Man Utd as £73m star likely to miss the festive period

Manchester United have been dealt a post-World Cup blow with winger Jadon Sancho likely to miss at least the club's next competitive game.

Sancho missed out on selection for England's final World Cup squad, having been included in the squad that contested Euro 2020 last year.

The 22-year-old has struggled to hit top form since arriving at Old Trafford for £73 million in 2021, and has two goals and one assist to his name from 10 appearances this season.

The winger is has been training in the Netherlands with a coach recommended by Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, as per Manchester Evening News. As a result, he was not included for United's recent training camp in Spain.

He was pictured in training with a Dutch amateur club, and has blanked out his social media channels as he looks to get his United and England career on track.

Sancho has 23 senior caps for his country, but has not played for his country since October 2021.

And Ten Hag has given an update on his player's potential availability for the upcoming matches.

Ten Hag on Sancho

United are back in action on December 21, when they host Burnley in the Carabao Cup. They then kickstart the second part of the Premier League at home to Nottingham Forest on December 27.

Ten Hag was asked about Sancho during the Spain training camp, and did not put a timeframe on the 22-year-old's return to action.

He said (quotes via Daily Mail): "I don't think he will be back this week, no.

"We want to bring him back as quickly as possible, but I can't give a prognosis of when that will be.

"Sometimes there are circumstances with fitness and mood. We got a drop of quality level and sometimes you don't know why or what is causing it.

"That is what we are doing now to try to get him back there. It is a combination of physically and mentally."

If Sancho does not return this week, it is unlikely that he will be in contention for the clash with Burnley, with his participation against Forest potentially under threat as well.

United fans will hope that he is able to return soon, and get back to the performance levels that convinced the club to sign him from Borussia Dortmund last year.