Michael Owen tells Manchester United how to resolve ‘pathetic’ Jadon Sancho situation

Michael Owen has branded the ongoing feud between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho as “pathetic” and has called on Manchester United staff to intervene.

Sancho’s future at Old Trafford is unclear following the news that Ten Hag will be kept on as manager, with the winger poised to return to the club following his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.

It is thought Dortmund are interested in a return deal for the 24-year-old, who recorded three goals and three assists in 21 appearances for the German club. One of those saw Sancho play 87 minutes in the Champions League final, having started 18 of his outings including each of Dortmund’s seven European knockout games.

ALSO READ: United make progress with Sancho and Greenwood exits as transfer plans ramp up

ALSO READ: Ten Hag faces power shift struggle with Ineos over new United contract proposal

As a result of his form, some fans wish to see Sancho reintegrated back into the United squad, having been shut out since falling out with Ten Hag over comments about his training levels in September.

It is considered likely that the attacker will exit this summer with Ten Hag still in-house, as he continues to refuse to apologise for his subsequent social media post hitting back at the manager.

Exiting United attacking coach Benni McCarthy says that Sancho is refraining from saying sorry given that it would be an admission of guilt when the player feels he has not acted untowardly.

Owen has called the situation “petty” and believes an intermediary needs to step in to resolve the conflict. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the former United striker said it will be “fascinating” to see what happens given Ten Hag is staying.

Owen added of Sancho: “He doesn't want to apologise for something that he doesn't feel as if he needs to apologise for. The manager just wants an apology.

“It all sounds a little bit petty and when you're buying someone for that amount of money, and you've got such a good player, you would think that somebody somewhere would just have the maturity to just say, come on.”

Owen continued: ”And it might be one of the coaches just in preseason training, just going to Sancho saying, listen, the manager's blah, blah, blah, you just go and knock on the door.

"Maybe you don't have to apologise, but just go and have a chat with him or whatever. Just something. But at the moment, it's pathetic, isn't it?"

Sancho still has two years left on his United deal, and reports claim that the club have priced him at around £40m.

Michael Owen was speaking to MEN Sport courtesy of AceOdds.com.