Sancho discovers next stage of Man Utd plan after Ten Hag training decision

Jadon Sancho will be reunited with his Manchester United teammates back in England after completing his personalised training programme.

With some members of United's squad away on World Cup duty, most of those not in Qatar have been taking part in a warm-weather training camp in Spain. Sancho has done neither, though, with manager Erik ten Hag putting the former Borussia Dortmund man on a specialised training programme in The Netherlands.

Sancho, who has 23 senior England caps, missed out on Gareth Southgate's squad after a difficult 18 months for club and country. Ten Hag has sent him to train with recommended coaches in order to get him back to his best when United return to competitive action at the end of the month.

United confirmed Sancho and team-mate Axel Tuanzebe are unavailable for an upcoming friendly against Cadiz, one of two games taking place during their Spain camp. However, according to The Sun, the 22-year-old will link back up with his colleagues at Carrington upon their return.

"He's doing well, but I think there's much more room for improvement for him because he has so many skills," Ten Hag said of Sancho earlier this season. "We will fill in the period really good.

"We can go specific. That can be beneficial to continue the season. We know, after this break, every three days there will be a game."

How big a part will Sancho play this season? Have your say in the comments section

Sancho has not featured for Man Utd since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22. He has scored three times since Ten Hag took over as manager, but the most recent of those arrived in September when United won 2-0 against FC Sheriff in the Europa League.

Ten Hag's side will return to action on December 21 with an EFL Cup fourth-round game against Burnley. Their next Premier League game arrives the following week against Nottingham Forest, and a number of fringe and academy players will be keen to impress in Spain ahead of potential opportunities during the festive period.

When United return to action, they will do so without Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal international played his last game for the club before the World Cup, with the player and club mutually agreeing to terminate his contract early.

That leaves the number seven shirt - Sancho's number at Dortmund - vacant. However, former United star West Brown suggested Ten Hag should not rush to reallocate the number amid suggestions it could be handed to emerging star Alejandro Garnacho.

"Maybe not just yet, and I don't mean that in a bad way," Brown told The Metro. "He is a great young player, I love his attitude on the pitch, the way he wants it, the way he attacks.

"With young kids sometimes, it's like, 'Give me the ball and I will give it straight back to you.' But he's not into that, he wants to show everyone how good he is."

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