Man Utd star Jadon Sancho unlikely to be involved against Arsenal after only returning to training this week

Manchester United will not rush Jadon Sancho back into the team after his return to training and is unlikely to be involved against Arsenal on Sunday.

Sancho has not played for the club since October, undergoing a personal training camp in Netherlands with coaches recommended by the United boss in December.

He returned to Manchester just before the turn of the year but only re-joined first-team training this week with ten Hag carefully managing his return, having revealed the player has been struggling ‘physically and mentally’ this season.

The former Borussia Dortmund star did not travel to London with the rest of the United squad for Wednesday’s meeting with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

United are back in the capital on Sunday to take on league leaders Arsenal with talk of a title challenge brewing at Old Trafford following Saturday’s derby win over Manchester City.

However, the Daily Mail reports it ‘would be a surprise’ if he was involved in that clash at the Emirates.

The 22-year-old started the season brightly with goals against Liverpool and Leicester City but has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea three months ago.

Ten Hag has stressed the importance of carefully managing Sancho’s return and has been reluctant to put a timescale on when United fans can see him back in the side.

‘I would like to have Jadon back as soon as possible,’ said the United boss earlier this month.

‘I will do everything that’s in my power, but some processes you can’t force and this is one of them. So I have also to show patience.

‘We have some hurdles to take but I think he’s in a good direction. In this moment he is not fit enough.

‘I said, physical. He is now making good progress on the physical part and that will help him. Physical is also the connection with mental.

‘I hope he can return quickly but I can’t say how long it will be.’

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