Jadon Sancho has been absent from Manchester United for a few weeks and is only doing individual training. When asked about the condition of his protégé, Erik ten Hag was quite clueless - the player was plagued by a "combination of physical and mental problems".

The ex-Dortmunder got off to a good start to the season under ten Hag, scoring important goals in victories against Liverpool and Leicester City. However, Sancho missed the final four games before the World Cup due to an unspecified illness.

Sancho was subsequently left out of ManUtd's squad for two friendlies in Spain which the Red Devils lost to Cadiz and Real Betis. Speaking to the press, ten Hag admitted he doesn't know when Sancho will return. "He's not fit enough," said the coach. "We haven't brought him in for United in the last couple of games because he wasn't in the right shape and he's on an individual program now."

"We want him to complete this program and we hope he comes back soon. We want him back as soon as possible but I can't predict when that will be. He's been good [in preparation] but also he had some good games early in the league, like against Liverpool, Leicester and Arsenal." After that, however, there was a drop in performance, according to the Dutchman. "Sometimes you don't know why or what's causing it. That's what we're doing now: we're trying to research and get him back in shape."

Ten Hag emphasized that Sancho's problems are not only physical but also mental.

This article was originally published on 90min.com as Erik ten Hag gives worrying update on Jadon Sancho's condition.