Ten Hag can't answer Sancho question despite Man Utd star taking "next step"

Erik ten Hag has refused to confirm when Jadon Sancho will be back in the Manchester United matchday squad after returning to first-team training earlier this week.

The 22-year-old hasn't played a minute for the Red Devils since October 22, having missed the last eight Premier League games through mental and physical health issues. Sancho also missed out on selection for the England squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

Having completed an individual training programme in the Netherlands and also at Carrington, Sancho was back training with his teammates at the club's base on Tuesday. However, when quizzed about when the winger could return to feature in competitive action, Ten Hag was tight-lipped.

Ten Hag said: "I can't answer that question. He's (Sancho) making the next step because (Tuesday) he was for the first time in team training, we will extend that in the coming days, the coming week and then go step by step."

Sancho's last game for United came in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea, where the former Borussia Dortmund man played 52 minutes before being taken off. The winger was left on the bench against Sheriff Tiraspol and West Ham, before missing subsequent matches against Real Sociedad, Aston Villa and Fulham before the international break.

After the restart, United ran out 3-0 winners over Nottingham Forest on December 27 and, once again, Sancho was not present. Following the Red Devils' 3-0 win over Bournemouth earlier this month, Ten Hag spoke in depth about Sancho and claimed he is 'impatient' to have the England star back involved and available for selection.

Will Manchester United win the Premier League this season? Let us know in the comments below!

Ten Hag said: "I would like to have Jadon back as soon as possible. I will do everything that's in my power but some processes you can't force and this is one of them. So I have also to show patience, although I don't have the patience because we have a lack of opportunities in the frontline, players who are available and capable to contribute in the Premier League - not only the Premier League, but the highest standard of top football.

"And Jadon is one, when he is fit. He will contribute and then we have an extra option and so we will have more chance of winning a lot of games."

United can close the gap on Arsenal to just six points at the top of the table with a win over the Gunners on Sunday. Ten Hag's side were pegged back with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Wednesday but can take plenty of encouragement from the fact they are the only team to defat the Gunners in the league this season.