Rio Ferdinand keeps it real with honest assessment of Jadon Sancho, sends message to Man United and Ten Hag

Rio Ferdinand says he wants 'clarity' from Manchester United over Jadon Sancho's situation at the club.

Sancho has been absent from the Man United squad, with Erik ten Hag revealing that the player had been struggling 'physically and mentally'.

The 22-year-old hasn't played since his side's 1-1 draw against Chelsea on October 22.

Sancho missed Man United's warm weather training in Spain whilst the World Cup was taking place in Qatar as he underwent his own personal program in the Netherlands.

But he's back in Manchester, with Ten Hag claiming he's 'making progress' ahead of being back in the fold.

Jadon Sancho during Chelsea vs. Man United. Image: Alamy

However, Ferdinand has questioned Man United's stance on Sancho, saying they 'need' him right now.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: "Jadon Sancho is an interesting one man.

"He’s gone away and he’s doing personal training somewhere. I don’t know what’s happened or what’s behind all this. I don’t know what it is.

"Is he not fit or is it mental? What are they seeing at United? It would be nice to get that clarity."

The former Man United defender cares about Sancho due to his London roots, but admits he has failed to deliver since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund.

Though he's convinced Ten Hag could do with the Englishman's services.

"Listen, Jadon Sancho is a south London boy so I care about him and want him to do well. But he hasn’t hit the ground running at Manchester United, for whatever reason. I don’t know why," he added.

"United actually need him right now, they need another player because the depth on the bench isn’t great.

"Sancho would add to that but he needs to come back and be the Sancho we saw at Dortmund, the Sancho that got people off their seats

"I watched an old video of Sancho the other day and he was tearing it up against Barcelona at the Nou Camp. That’s the Sancho I expected to see at United.

"I wanted him to come to the Theatre of Dreams and say: 'This is my home, I’m going to own this place.' We just haven’t seen that yet and it’s actually grating on me as to why. I need to know why man."

The Red Devils resume their Premier League campaign on Tuesday when they host Bournemouth. They then take on Everton in the FA Cup on Friday.

Will Sancho feature for Man United this week? Watch this space.