ERIK TEN HAG warned Jadon Sancho he may NEVER play for Manchester United again.
The Red Devils boss chucked the £73million ace out of his squad this week.
It came after Sancho publicly questioned Ten Hag’s claim the winger had not trained well enough to face Arsenal last time out.
Asked if Sancho would play for United again, Ten Hag said: “I don’t know.
“I’m sitting here and we have a big game, we are going into a new block of games, many games in a condensed programme. I focus on that.”
Ahead of Saturday's Old Trafford Prem clash with Brighton, Ten Hag insisted that he had to take a stand against Sancho after his behaviour.
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He said: “It’s in favour of the team. That is what my decision is based on.
“That is not about me, and to be strict. No. This is in favour of the team.”
Ten Hag also hinted it is not the first time he has had issues with the player.
Rumours have circulated in the past about poor time keeping and attitude.
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The United manager said: “It has never been when someone makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome.
“If staff, players or whoever, if there is a structure and you cross lines you have to be strong, absolutely.”
Following United’s 3-1 defeat at the Emirates before the international break, Ten Hag explained Sancho’s absence, saying: “Jadon was absent on his performance in training.
“We didn’t select him. You have to reach a level every day at Manchester United and we can make choices on the front line, so for this game he wasn’t selected.”
It has never been when someone makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome.
Ten Hag on Sancho
Sancho, 23, responded in a statement claiming he had been made a ‘scapegoat’ and effectively calling Ten Hag a liar.
He said: “I will not allow people saying things that are completely untrue, I conducted myself in training very well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time!"
Sancho’s exile comes during Antony’s withdrawl from the squad to focus on fighting assault claims.
Ten Hag does not know how long that process would take, adding: “Of course, he is disappointed but he is OK.”