Jadon Sancho transfer state of play - Manchester United's stance as club 'open talks'

If Manchester United fans wrote down a list of 2024 predictions then a January exit for Jadon Sancho would have been a safe bet.

The winger has not played since August as his exile from first-team activities continues. The 23-year-old accused Erik ten Hag of lying about why he was dropped from the squad against Arsenal on September 3 and is refusing to apologise.

The United boss has taken a hard line on discipline during his tenure, having been unafraid to drop Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford for stepping out of line. So amid the long-standing fallout, it is perhaps no surprise that Sancho - left out of the season squad photo - is headed for the exit door.

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MEN Sport reported back in September that Sancho would be open to an exit should he be banished until the new year, which has come to pass. The player has since deleted his controversial social media post but it is understood that he stands by his comments given his refusal to offer an apology.

Sancho said in his statement that he believed he was dropped for other reasons and claimed he had been “scapegoated for a long time”. Meanwhile, several United teammates have since urged Sancho to admit he was in the wrong to save his Reds career.

The manager has indicated that he could welcome back Sancho if he cedes an apology, although stands by his press conference comments about the England international’s training levels.

Ten Hag sent Sancho on an individual training camp to regain confidence during the last festive period before making a return in February. He says the player’s future at the club is down to him.

The MEN reported in October that United will