Man Utd controversy over 'mental health' Jadon Sancho comments as details emerge
Man Utd said Jadon Sancho was struggling with 'physical and mental' issues last season
REUTERS
There's more controversy with Manchester United with reports saying they weren't cleared to disclose Jadon Sancho's mental health issues last season.
The England international missed four months of the campaign, with Erik ten Hag saying there were 'physical and mental' factors behind his absence.
Sancho spent time training alone in the Netherlands with coaches trusted by Ten Hag and returned in February.
However, the club are now under scrutiny with the Daily Mail saying United 'did not obtain permission' to publicly confirm the 23-year-old was suffering.
Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho's relationship at Man Utd is starting to crumble
PA
Sancho has been in the public eye ever since a young age, having previously risen through the Manchester City academy.
The forward then moved to Borussia Dortmund back in the summer transfer window of 2017 in order to develop his career.
Sancho's electric form in Germany saw him become a regular fixture in the England squad for a brief while.
However, he's often failed to hit the heights expected of him after moving to United from Borussia Dortmund two years ago.
United have defended themselves over the mental health allegations, insisting Ten Hag believed he was being supportive of Sancho.
The 53-year-old continued to speak supportively of the winger during his time away from the rest of the United squad.
Sancho, the report adds, did actually have an injury at the time of his exile.
But United felt it would have been difficult to explain the long absence as solely injury-related when that wasn't the case.
The Red Devils didn't want unnecessary speculation and, therefore, felt it was wise to be honest in public to take some scrutiny away from their forward.
Sancho's relationship with Ten Hag seems to be at breaking point now, however.
The United winger wasn't picked on Sunday as the Red Devils slumped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
After the match, Ten Hag said he'd omitted Sancho because he felt the player wasn't performing well in training.
"Jadon, on his performances in training we did not select him," stated the Dutchman.
"You have to reach a level every day at Manchester United and we can make choices in the front line. So for this game he was not selected."
But Sancho then hit back and seemingly challenged the authority of his manager.
"Please don't believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is (sic) completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week," he retorted.
"I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won't go into, l've been a scapegoat for a long time which isn't fair!
"All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team.
"I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and (am) grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge.
"I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!"
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Jadon Sancho is yet to start for Man Utd this season
PA
Ten Hag is now set for crunch talks with Sancho as United look to get their season on track.
It's been a slow start for the Red Devils so far, with the team picking up just six points from their opening four matches.
United have beaten Wolves and Nottingham Forest while losing away matches to Tottenham and Arsenal.
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