Transfer Talk: Sancho must plot Man Utd escape to revive faltering career

Jadon Sancho's Manchester United career looks beyond repair as Erik ten Hag continues to shun the England international.

Sancho, 23, has yet to start a match for the Red Devils this season and could seek a January exit from Old Trafford.

We take a look at what the future might hold for the former Borussia Dortmund star.

War of words

A public spat between Ten Hag and Sancho has left the English forward's Old Trafford career in limbo and the longer it goes on the less likely it is to be rectified.

According to Ten Hag, the Manchester City academy product was left out of the squad for United's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal in September because he did not meet the standards required in training.

But when Sancho took to social media to claim his manager's words were lies, his exile began and he has since been training with the youth team.

Reports have suggested that an apology would be the first step on Sancho's path to redemption but his apparent refusal leaves him with a choice to make when the January transfer window opens.

Use your voice

Opinion has been divided on who is to blame for the Sancho saga but ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has sided with the Three Lions international and believes players should be able to air their opinions.

He said: "We are living in a different world now, where everyone has a voice.

"If a manager or a club makes serious accusations about a player not behaving properly — in this case Sancho's attitude towards training — then he not only has the capacity to hit back but also the right.

"I wouldn't criticise Sancho for responding in the way he did. He was merely correcting what he saw as something inaccurate about him."

Escape route

Although his contract runs until 2026, Sancho could be offered to clubs for a cut price in January.

A return to Dortmund has been touted but the exiled attacker may still want to prove himself in the Premier League.

Since joining United in 2021, the skilful winger has scored only 12 goals in 82 appearances in all competitions.

This has led to criticism and suggestions that the ex-Bundesliga star is not at the level to succeed in the English top flight.

But he may get another chance to prove his worth with Newcastle and Tottenham reportedly keeping tabs on the speedster's situation in Manchester.

Sancho may also have options abroad with Barcelona, Juventus and several clubs from Saudi Arabia expressing their interest.

Too little, too late

Amid Sancho's banishment, Ten Hag has gone on to label the £73million signing as "not important" as the club continues to struggle for form.

He said: "I prepare my team the best I can. I put all my effort into the players who are available.

"He is not available, so in this moment, he is not important, because he can't contribute.

"With fans it's the talk, with you [the media] it's the talk but with the players it is not the talk."

Whether Sancho will get another opportunity to prove his manager wrong is unclear but if he continues to remain away from the first-team squad, he must seek a swift exit to restore his reputation at the top level.