Transfer Talk: What next for Man Utd outcast Sancho?

Jadon Sancho is an outcast at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.

The winger has not featured since a substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest in August after a public falling out with his manager.

A complete breakdown in the relationship between Sancho and Ten Hag has led to rumours of a January exit, with several clubs said to be interested.

We assess whether the playmaker, 23, could depart next month ahead of today's clash with Aston Villa.

Parting ways

Given the hype surrounding Sancho's arrival in 2021, there may be some understandable reluctance to simply discard him in January.

The Red Devils paid Borussia Dortmund £73million to sign a player widely considered to be one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

Sancho's contract does not expire until 2026 — but his sizeable salary means United will want to make a decision on his future soon.

There have been suggestions the London native's deal could be terminated in an effort to start afresh following Jim Ratcliffe's 25% acquisition.

Even if Sancho was reintegrated into the squad, his performances before his feud with Ten Hag were disappointing.

Moving on could be beneficial for both parties, despite the inevitable disappointment.

Window shopping

If Sancho does leave in January, United will be on the lookout for a replacement.

A swap deal involving Dortmund's Donyell Malen has been mooted, which would see the 23-year-old return to his former club.

Malen has scored five goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances and is enjoying a productive season.

At 24, he is a similar age to Sancho and would refresh United's attacking options.

That deal may prove to be too complicated to pull off, though, in which case the Red Devils will need to look elsewhere to recoup some of the £73m fee.

A move back to the Bundesliga would make sense for Sancho, with RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen believed to be interested.

Juventus have also been linked with the England international, who has played the best football of his career away from the Premier League.

United future

There is, of course, another option for Sancho — and that is to work his way back into contention at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has left the door open for such a scenario, however unlikely it seems.

He said: "He [Sancho] knows what he has to do, it is up to him.

"What will happen there, he knows what he has to do, if he wants to return it is up to him.

"It is about a culture and every player has to match certain standards and it was about that."

Whether or not United's No25 has the desire or the determination required to rebuild bridges at the club remains to be seen.

As Ten Hag's side prepare to face Villa, Sancho remains an outcast with his immediate future up in the air.