Man Utd ‘in talks’ over late transfer after Jadon Sancho’s private reaction to Fulham snub

Jadon Sancho made his desire to leave Manchester United before the summer transfer deadline clear after Erik ten Hag excluded him from his squad to face Fulham last Friday, according to reports. And the Red Devils are said to have opened talks with Juventus about a potential deal for Sancho, who looks set to remain on the periphery of the first-team squad.

The 24-year-old featured prominently throughout pre-season, starting three of five fixtures and travelling for the club’s tour of the United States.

But Ten Hag delivered a brutal reminder of where he placed in his current plans by snubbing him in his 20-player squad for the Premier League curtain-raiser.

Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony were the Dutchman’s attacking options on the bench, with Amad, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes – acting as a false nine – starting.

Sancho had played as a false nine during pre-season. Still, Fernandes was preferred, with Mason Mount operating in attacking midfield, leaving him low in the pecking order for both of his positions.

According to The Athletic, the United No. 25 reacted to his latest absence from Ten Hag’s squad by reaffirming his wish to pursue a new challenge this month.

Sancho was spotted arriving at Old Trafford alongside injured left-back Tyrell Malacia shortly before kick-off. And the report adds that he mixed with his teammates in the home dressing room.

However, he wasn’t spotted watching United’s 1-0 victory – courtesy of Zirkzee’s late winner off the bench – alongside other players in the directors’ box.

On Thursday, Ten Hag sent Sancho a clear message by claiming currently out of favour players will have a role to play as the season progresses.

“I hope we will have a squad with double positioning and when we go into the season after September 1, that means you can’t select all the players but you need them all throughout the season,” the United boss explained.

“We have to manage it, the attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed. They have to deal with it. You win as a squad.

“The prizes are decided next May and until then we need all the players in the squad and highly motivated, that is not an expectation, that is a demand.”

The Athletic claim that United are demanding at least £40million to part ways with Sancho before the August 30 deadline, with finances a major hurdle for Juventus.

The Serie A giants are expected to table a season-long loan offer that includes a salary contribution. However, United will reportedly seek full coverage of his £250,000-per-week wages, a loan fee and an obligation to buy.

INEOS are unlikely to sanction an exit if it doesn’t benefit their PSR situation and support their ambition to recruit at least one more player in the next six days.