Jadon Sancho hasn’t played for Man Utd since October, but manager Erik ten Hag says the former Borussia Dortmund star is still not ready.

Jadon Sancho is not mentally or physically ready to return for Man Utd, according to boss Erik ten Hag.

Sancho has not played for United since October 22 and continues to train away from the first-team squad after returning from an individual training camp in Holland. Ten Hag admitted he is impatient for the £73million signing to return quickly, given United’s lack of options in attack, but admitted he cannot rush the 22-year-old.

“I would like to have Jadon back as soon as possible,” said Ten Hag. “But I can’t force this process. 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 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 of contributing.

“Jadon is one – when he is fit – who will contribute and then we have an extra option, so we will have more chances of winning a lot of games. We have some hurdles to take, but I think he’s in a good direction.

“At this moment he’s not fit enough, physically. But the physical is also in connection with the mental. But now he’s making good progress.

“I think for many top athletes, sometimes it’s good to go away from the place where you are at daily to get a new vibe and a new experience. This can give you the right push to get back on track. Footballers aren’t robots.

Sancho hasn’t played for the Red Devils since before the World Cup ( Image: Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images)

“No-one is the same. You need an individual approach. We thought that, in cooperation with Jadon, it was the best choice.”

Ten Hag saw Sancho’s form and confidence had dropped and agreed with the winger a process to get him back to his best, which included the tailored training regime in Holland.

It means that United will go into Friday night’s FA Cup clash vs Everton without Sancho and while Ten Hag is expected to make some changes, he insists that it’s a competition he will take very seriously.

United haven’t won a trophy since 2017, a drought the Dutchman is looking to end as soon as possible: “We have a lot of opportunities to win a trophy. We are still in many competitions.

Erik ten Hag is hoping to end Man Utd’s trophy drought this season ( Image: Football Daily)

“To win a trophy is something great. It will give you experience and help you to win more titles and more trophies – maybe also bigger trophies, that is definitely true. So first you have to go over the line and get that experience, because it’s always the same players who are always winning trophies and that’s not a coincidence.”

He added: “For me the cup is always special. I know in England the FA Cup is even more higher expectations, higher standards than in the Netherlands, but I like the cup in the Netherlands as well, it’s a different league.

“In not so many games you can achieve a lot, and you have to come away a winner, this is possible if you draw a replay but then after two it’s a knockout and I like that.”

source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/