Erik Ten Hag refused to comment on Jadon Sancho’s situation at the club following Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup third round.
United breezed past a disinterested Palace side thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial but despite it being arguably United’s best performance of the season, topical questions about Sancho were posed to Ten Hag after the game.
When asked about an update on the ordeal Ten Hag said: “I don’t talk about players who are unavailable.”
Ten Hag also said it is “up to” Sancho to help rebuild the bridge between him and the club after the Dutchman issued an ultimatum to Sancho during the week, reportedly demanding that he apologise for his actions before returning to Manchester United’s training ground in Carrington.
Ten Hag seemingly denounced Sancho earlier in his post-match conference when he spoke about other young players in the squad who were performing well in training and deserving of a start against Palace on Tuesday night.
He said: “We had many young players on the pitch, and you see that they are progressing.
“With me, you don’t get the opportunity you have to deserve it and those players who are coming on- from Hanijbal to Pellistri to Garnacho to Dan Gore- they all deserved it.
“They have to show it every day in training with me and our coaches and then you can get the opportunity, then you have to take it.”
There was time for Ten Hag to reflect on the positives though- which included solid performances from debutant Sofyan Amrabat, under- fire Harry Maguire and the returning Mason Mount.
Ten Hag applauded Maguire for a “very solid” performance before explaining that Mount was substituted at half-time owing to his lengthy absence from the side through injury, but emphasising how well he played in the opening 45.
He then spoke highly of Amrabat- who delivered an assured performance alongside Casemiro in midfield.
“He is a player that gives to the team wherever the team needs him. He gives contributions to the team in his quality, also his energy and dynamic,” Ten Hag said.
Manchester United now enter the pot for the third-round draw of the Carabao Cup which will be made on Wednesday night.
