Revealed: Full Jadon Sancho exile details as Man Utd star is forced to lock himself in academy dressing room & has food brought to him in a lunch box due to bizarre canteen ban

The England international winger last figured for United in their 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on August 26, with 30 minutes of game time seen off the bench in that contest. Sancho was left out of the Red Devils’ next fixture – a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal – with Erik ten Hag saying of his decision to overlook the 23-year-old: “On his performance in training, we didn’t select him. You have to reach the level every day at Manchester United.” Sancho snapped back at that comment on social media, claiming that accusations of lacking effort in training were “completely untrue” and that he had been made a “scapegoat” for some time.

Sancho has not featured for United since incurring the wrath of Ten Hag and questioning the treatment he has received from the demanding Dutch tactician. The Red Devils’ boss is said to want a face-to-face apology before he relaxes his stance and considers bringing Sancho back into the fold. There has been no call for Sancho to apologise in front of his team-mates, but United said in a statement on September 14 that he will remain absent from first-team training “pending resolution of a squad discipline issue”.

While working away from the senior squad at United’s training base at Carrington, Sancho has been doing solo sessions or linking up with the club’s academy players. The Red Devils’ U21 coach, Mark Dempsey, has been helping out at times. According to The Athletic, Sancho is not allowed in the senior facilities at all, meaning that he has to park his car at the academy building and get ready there. He is reportedly forced to lock himself into the changing rooms at the academy due to safeguarding directives – ensuring that he does not mix with underage players.

As well as being ostracised from first-team training, Sancho is also reportedly banned from United’s canteen. Rather than mingle with club colleagues as they go about their business, the England winger instead sees his food brought to him across the walkway that links the academy and senior facilities. Sancho then has to eat out of a lunch box before making his way home.

While in the academy ranks, Sancho has taken to watching United’s U18 side in action. Following a meeting with Nottingham Forest, he stayed behind afterwards to answer questions from the teenage stars on show. Sancho has also taken in a trip to New York, where he attended the birthday celebrations of NBA star John Wall, and was spotted at the Cirque Le Soir burlesque nightclub in London during the October international break. Gamers have also noticed Sancho’s profile being used on EAFC 24.

Ten Hag is leaving the ball in Sancho’s court when it comes to building bridges and earning a reprieve. If no apology is offered, then the former Borussia Dortmund star will be edged towards the exits. Saudi Arabian clubs are said to have been made aware of Sancho’s availability before the summer transfer window closed in the Middle East. Interest remains in that region, while Juventus and Chelsea have also been linked with moves in January. United may open themselves up to offers, but The Athletic claims that they are looking for around £65 million ($79m) for a player that is working on a contract worth more than £200,000-per-week.