Jadon Sancho's return date remains unknown to Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag.
The 22-year-old started the season well, scoring three goals before the September international break. He hasn't played for United since their 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22.
According to Ten Hag, Sancho's confidence suffered a major decline after the English squad decided not to play him in their September Nations League match.
According to Ten Hag, "sometimes there are circumstances with fitness and mood. He wasn't in a fit or the proper status.
Sancho had three goals through his first eight games but didn't go to Spain with United for their two games, so he missed the last four before the World Cup break.
Ten Hag claims that Sancho has been collaborating with a fitness trainer in the Netherlands who has previously assisted the United management with fitness programmes.
“I have had several talks with Jadon,” Ten Hag remarked. “He’s on a physical programme, and our aim is to get him back as quickly as possible, but I can’t give a prognosis of when that will be.”
United paid £73 million to bring Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but he has yet to find the net for the club in England despite his reputation as a goal scorer in Germany.
“When the league started, he played some good games, but after we got a drop in levels,” stated Ten Hag. “Sometimes you don’t know why or what is causing it.
“Most of the time, it comes slowly. First, you observe but the stats back it up. He had goals and assists at the start of the season, but his key moments and actions became less.
“It’s a combination of physical but also mental. We’re trying to research and get him back.”