Jadon Sancho returned to Manchester United first team training on Tuesday after being sent away on an individual programme.
The former Borussia Dortmund star, who is into his second season at Old Trafford, headed to the Netherlands during the World Cup period to work on his skills after Erik ten Hag noticed a decline in his form. Sancho was left out of England's squad for the tournament in Qatar which opened up such an opportunity.
Sancho has not played for the Red Devils since the 1-1 draw against Chelsea in October - a game in which he was substituted. Ten Hag felt the winger would benefit away from the day-to-day environment at Carrington, but has not bought him back into the fold.
Ten Hag has shown his ruthless streak when axing players whose levels have dropped. Sancho's programme meant he missed United's warm weather training camp in Spain late last year. He will now bolster the squad's options as they continue to rebuild their season after a slow start.
Their win in the Manchester derby has seen them close to within one point of their rivals ahead of their clash with league leaders Arsenal this weekend. Sancho cost the club huge sums 18 months ago but has been unable to consistently deliver in the north west.
Ten Hag previously explained his decision to send Sancho away for an individual programme, stating: “First we didn’t see him in the last games for United, so he wasn’t in the right status, in the right fitness state, so now he’s on an individual programme and we want him to finish that programme and hopefully, we see him back soon.”
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The Dutchman also said on the player's decline in form: “Most of the time it comes slowly. On the tour he played really well, the start of the league he played really well, after the break his performance was lower. First you observe but then also the stats back it up and in the start of the season he had goals and assists and his key moments and key actions and it became less and less.”
Sancho will be competing for a first-team place with the likes of Marcus Rashford, who is enjoying an impressive purple patch having equalled a club-record for goals in consecutive home games. Anthony Martial and Antony have also established themselves in the forward line under Ten Hag.
Youngster Alejandro Garnacho, who has enjoyed a breakout year, and Anthony Elanga are also options for United. Ten Hag has also acted after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo by adding Dutch forward Wout Weghorst on loan for the remainder of the season.
