Transfer expert claims Man Utd star could leave the club in shock January move

A transfer insider has suggested that Jadon Sancho could leave Manchester United in the January transfer window - but only on a loan deal.

Sancho has had a difficult start to the 2022/23 season, scoring two goals and providing one assist in 10 Premier League appearances under Erik ten Hag.

He suffered from illness at the end of October, and was not named in the matchday squad for United's final four games before the World Cup break as a result.

During the aforementioned break, Sancho has spent time away from the club. He has been training in the Netherlands with a coach recommended by Ten Hag, as per the Manchester Evening News.

The 23-year-old was pictured training with an amateur club by a Dutch journalist.

That meant he was not selected for United's mid-season training camp in Spain, where Ten Hag's side took on Cadiz and Real Betis in friendly matches.

Speaking about when the winger could return, the manager told reporters: "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 and get him back there. It is a combination of physically and mentally."

Sancho to leave Man Utd on loan?

According to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, one option for Sancho could be to depart Old Trafford on a temporary arrangement in order to recapture his best form.

"As it stands, Erik ten Hag thinks he can get Jadon Sancho back to his best," he told the above outlet.

Bailey later added: "United want Sancho to get back to his best, though he's some way down the pecking order right now.

"Another issue that Sancho will have to contend with could be Cody Gakpo's potential arrival. That could also impact on his future. But in terms of an imminent sale, that is an absolute non-starter.

"However, a loan I can see, and maybe a return to the Bundesliga to get his confidence back. There is nowhere in the world where he is held in higher regard than in Germany."

A return to Germany - and potentially former club Borussia Dortmund - could help Sancho get his career back on track and put him in a position to star at United upon his return, if he does go out on loan.

But any departure would still come as a surprise move, given United paid a fee of £73 million to sign him from Dortmund 18 months ago.