Erik ten Hag provides Jadon Sancho update ahead of Burnley clash

The England international publicly went against Ten Hag earlier this month when the manager said that the attacker had been left out of the squad for the Arsenal game due to poor performances in training.

Sancho has since missed the matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Bayern Munich, and he is not currently training alongside his teammates.

Ten Hag was asked for an update on the situation during his press conference to preview Saturday's trip to Burnley in the Premier League.

The manager said that "it depends on him" when questioned on a possible return for Sancho, who is seemingly still refusing to apologise for his controversial post on social media.

"It depends on him. For the rest, we are preparing for Burnley and that's our focus. He will not be in the squad," Ten Hag told reporters on Friday afternoon.

A recent report claimed that Sancho will only be considered for selection if he publicly and privately apologises to his manager, who is coming under fire due to a poor run of form.

Man United have lost four of their six matches in all competitions this season, including a 4-3 reverse to Bayern in the Champions League in Germany on Wednesday night.

"It's my second year. I know it's not always going up, you will have your gaps and you get stronger from it as long as you stay together. That's what we're doing. In the dressing room, staff, all the staff, coaches, medical, everyone is united and at United you fight," Ten Hag added on Friday.

"We know how intense they (Burnley) play football, we know their approach, I like the approach from them, the adventure, high intensity and dynamic in their game, so we have to play our best."

Man United are believed to be willing to allow Sancho to leave the club in January if the relationship between the player and his head coach cannot be repaired.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona are two clubs believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation, with a loan exit at the start of 2024 seemingly the most likely outcome at this stage.

Man United have beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season, while they have lost to Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Brighton.