Jadon Sancho has grown frustrated with seeing Manchester United teammate Antony start more games than him this season, according to club legend Rio Ferdinand.
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The 23-year-old has not started a game this season and was left out of the United squad that travelled to north London Sunday, falling to a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
In his post-match press conference, ten Hag revealed his omission was down to his poor performances in training – with Sancho hitting back at those comments in a statement shortly after.
‘I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week,’ Sancho said on Sunday evening. ‘I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!’
Reacting to the row, Ferdinand admitted Sancho may now have to consider a late move to Saudi Arabia or face the prospect of spending the rest of the season on the bench.
But when discussing the source of Sancho’s frustrations, the former United defender believes the presence of Antony in the starting XI ahead of the winger is likely to have a played a huge role.
Ferdinand told Vibe with Five: ‘Sancho, in his defence, I think he is sitting there looking at the areas in which he plays and thinking: “How is this guy still playing?”
‘I reckon he’s still there thinking Antony, how is he playing in front of me?
‘I guarantee you he will be sitting there thinking that. Garnacho is probably saying the same thing. Garnacho comes on after 84 minutes and almost gets the winner. Because he is a threat.’
Antony, who joined United in a £85m deal from Ajax last summer, has started each of United’s four games this season.
Garnacho meanwhile started United’s first two games of the season against Wolves and Tottenham, replaced in the second-half after underwhelming performances on both occasions and benched against Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
Sancho appeared as a substitute in games against Wolves, Spurs and Forest but publicly disagreeing with his manager will prompt concerns over his future.
The winger’s fitness levels were a concern last season with ten Hag putting him a special training programme in Netherlands during the World Cup break, working with coaches recommended to him by his manager.
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