Erik ten Hag bites back at Jadon Sancho with huge ‘issues’ claim

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted Jadon Sancho has “issues” at Old Trafford even before the Dutchman took control.

Ten Hag and Sancho fell out earlier this season, with a public spat ultimately leading to the winger’s return to Borussia Dortmund on a six-month loan this window.

Sancho’s attitude has since been defended by former United boss Ralf Rangnick and Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, with both officials claiming they never had any problems with the 23-year-old.

Ten Hag, however, has now claimed things were not as rosy as others have suggested.

“So after he was signed, one year before [Ten Hag joined], and there were issues,” he told Sky Sports. “We have had issues all the way through, and so you can make out his stay at Manchester United so far is not a success.

“So now he is going back to Borussia Dortmund, so I wish him the best of luck. I hope, we all hope he is doing well there, he will be successful. Again, we will see what is going to happen.”

Ten Hag had a frosty relationship with Sancho / Alex Livesey – Danehouse/GettyImages
Sancho resisted calls to apologise for his public spat with Ten Hag, who he claimed had made him a “scapegoat” by dropping him from the matchday squad to face Arsenal in early September, and remained frozen out by the manager as a result.

Asked whether an apology would have fixed things, Ten Hag added: “We have said that before. And I don’t want every time to return to the point. He knows what he should do and we have made that clear.

“It was also so clear and obvious about his performance so let’s stop this discussion. He is to Dortmund and we wish him the best of luck.”

Sancho grabbed an assist on his first appearance for Dortmund at the weekend – the first time he has set up a goal since May 2023 – after which he admitted he is simply searching for happiness on the pitch.