Erik ten Hag dodges Jadon Sancho questions ahead of Brighton & Albion clash

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag refused to engage in questions on Jadon Sancho when asked about the attacker during his press conference on Friday afternoon.

The Dutchman addressed the media ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, and as expected, he was quizzed on the situation surrounding Sancho.

The 23-year-old is currently training away from the main group, having publicly criticised Ten Hag's comments following the clash with Arsenal before the international break.

The head coach said that Sancho was not involved at the Emirates Stadium due to some poor performances in training, but his stance was questioned by the player on social media.

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Sancho has removed the statement from his 'X' profile, but it is believed that he is yet to apologise, which led to Man United making the decision to remove him from the main group.

When asked for an update on Friday, Ten Hag was instead keen to talk about the clash with Arsenal, which Man United lost in the latter stages, conceding twice in second-half stoppage time.

"We close the game, we work on the feedback, the data team feedback, we played very well very Arsenal, we trained very well, we played very well," he said.

"We deserved much more in Arsenal, it was not on our side, that was the outcome of our analysis and you can see our progress against a good Arsenal and minimum we have to get a draw there and we could have won. We come back and we trained very well. We are ready for it."

Ten Hag was then asked a further question about Sancho but instead discussed the mood in his squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Brighton.

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"I think everything is said. So the squad is strong, in good spirits and good mood going into the game," added the Dutchman.

"You have sometimes setbacks in seasons, players are injured or for other reasons are not available so you construct a squad and the squad is very good and the players who are available and motivated to give a good performance."

At this stage, it is unclear when Sancho will be available for selection once again, with the attacker being heavily linked with a move away from the club during the January transfer window.

Antony is also currently missing, as the forward has remained in Brazil to deal with accusations of abuse from three separate women, while Mason Mount is still injured, which could mean a start for Bruno Fernandes on the right side of the attack, or a rare appearance from the first whistle for Facundo Pellistri.