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Tony MoganPublished Aug 23, 2024, 6:24pm|Updated Aug 23, 2024, 6:25pm
Jadon Sancho asked to leave Manchester United after he was left out of the matchday squad for the opening game of the season against Fulham last week.
Following his public bust-up with manager Erik ten Hag almost a year ago, Sancho was banished from the first-team by the United boss, training away from his teammates before joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.
Player and manager appeared to bury the hatchet this summer with Sancho reintegrated back into the squad during their pre-season campaign, starting three games in preparation for the new Premier League season.
But ten Hag’s decision to overlook him on the opening day of the season last Friday has pushed him back towards the Old Trafford exit with Juventus in talks over a move.
Speaking after the 1-0 win over Fulham, ten Hag explained that while Sancho had been dealing with an ear infection in the lead-up to the game, he was fit enough to play with the manager ‘preferring other players’ on the day.
The Athletic report Sancho reacted to the manager’s decision by ‘reaffirming his desire to leave’. The 24-year-old was also conspicuous by his absence in the director’s box during the game, where injured pair Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro watched on alongside Tom Heaton.
While Chelsea have been credited with interest, Juventus are now the front runners to sign Sancho if he is to leave United.
The Premier League side have been open to offers all summer but so far no clubs have been prepared to meet their £40million valuation.
Juventus have stepped up talks this week with United looking for a permanent sale. They will only consider another loan if Sancho’s salary is covered in full and the deal includes a loan fee and an obligation to buy.
Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford started in wide roles against Fulham with Alejandro Garnacho coming off the bench, having only recently returned to training following his Copa America campaign with Argentina.
Antony is also vying for a spot in the team with ten Hag warning Sancho and the rest of his squad they have to ‘deal with’ the manager’s decisions when they are left out of the squad.
‘I hope we will have a squad with double positioning and when we go into the season after September 1, that means you can’t select all the players but you need them all throughout the season,’ ten Hag said at a press conference on Thursday.
‘We have to manage it, the attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed. They have to deal with it, you win as a squad. The prizes are decided next May and until then we need all the players in the squad and highly motivated, that is not an expectation, that is a demand.’
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