‘No Days Off’ – Former Man Utd Coach Benni McCarthy Reveals Issue with Jadon Sancho Training Ahead of Erik ten Hag Fallout and Chelsea Loan

McCarthy Gives Honest Insight Into Sancho’s Mentality, Training Habits, and His Struggles to Earn Ten Hag’s Trust

In the world of elite football, talent alone is never enough. Few players illustrate this better than Jadon Sancho. Bursting onto the scene as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers during his time at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho’s move to Manchester United was met with immense anticipation. But four years on, the story is very different.

Now, in the wake of a failed loan at Chelsea and ahead of another uncertain summer, former Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has shed light on the deeper issues that may have shaped Sancho’s troubled spell at Old Trafford.

WHAT HAPPENED? McCarthy Lifts the Lid on Sancho’s Training Ground Reality

Jadon Sancho

Speaking to betonlinepromocodes.com, McCarthy, who was part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff, offered a rare, unfiltered look at the behind-the-scenes dynamics between Sancho and the United hierarchy.

“Jadon had unbelievable ability,” McCarthy said. “What he could do with the ball made you stop and just watch. You’d think to yourself, ‘Wow, this guy is special.’”

But it wasn’t just about what happened with the ball.

The South African coach made it clear that while Sancho impressed in bursts during training, his consistency was lacking. And that—according to McCarthy—was where things began to unravel under Ten Hag.

“Erik is a manager who wants to see a player at his absolute best every single day—Monday through Friday. No days off. And if you can’t bring that level day in, day out, you’re going to have a problem.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Sancho’s Personality Clashed with the Culture at Carrington

At the heart of the issue wasn’t just form—it was personality.

Sancho, McCarthy explained, is naturally reserved. “He’s very private. An introvert. He’s not someone who stays behind after training to laugh and joke. He just wants to get his work done and head home. That’s his style.”

Unfortunately, in a club environment like Manchester United—particularly under a manager like Ten Hag, who thrives on intensity, unity, and constant drive—this personality may have made Sancho seem distant, even disengaged.

But McCarthy defended the player’s character: “I think people were too quick to judge him on that. Just because he wasn’t cracking jokes with his teammates doesn’t mean he wasn’t committed. He was just quiet.”

That quiet nature, however, may have contributed to a growing distance between Sancho and the coaching staff, especially Ten Hag.

WHAT MCCARTHY SAID: “I Loved Him – Sometimes He Was Unplayable”

McCarthy was quick to point out that Sancho’s quality was never in doubt. “There were days where he was unplayable. I loved him. He was special.”

Yet, the problem Ten Hag had wasn’t about the peaks—it was the valleys. The manager demanded relentless excellence. “You had to show up at your best every day,” McCarthy said. “That’s what he expects. And it’s up to the player to deliver that.”

And when that didn’t happen consistently, friction naturally followed.

This culminated in one of the most public player-manager breakdowns in recent United memory. Sancho was banished from first-team training for months following a social media post in which he accused Ten Hag of making him a scapegoat.

Though the two never reconciled, Sancho eventually left the club on loan to his old stomping ground, Borussia Dortmund, in January 2024. There, he enjoyed a moderate resurgence, even playing in a Champions League final, but still didn’t convince United—or Chelsea, where he later went on loan—that he was ready to be the £73 million player they once believed in.

DID YOU KNOW? Sancho’s Man Utd Career So Far in Numbers

• Appearances: 83

• Goals: 12

• Assists: 6

• Premier League starts in 2023-24: 0

• Time banished from the first-team: 4 months

• Current status: Returned from Chelsea loan, expected to be sold

It’s a sobering record for a player who was once tipped to be the face of the club’s new attacking era.

WHAT NEXT? Juventus Interested After Chelsea Pass

Jadon Sancho Chelsea 2024-25

With Chelsea reportedly turning down the opportunity to make Sancho’s move permanent, all eyes are now on Italy.

Juventus are said to be leading the race for the England international’s signature. The Turin giants are keen on a rebuild, and Sancho—still only 25—fits their model of a player with high upside and a point to prove.

There’s also been murmurs of interest from Saudi Arabia, though sources close to the player claim Sancho prefers to stay in Europe to revive his international career, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

United, for their part, appear determined to move on. Reports suggest they are open to offers in the region of £30-35 million—a massive loss on their initial investment but a necessary reset for both parties.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES: A Player Caught Between Talent and Expectation

Sancho’s story is one of the most complex in modern football. Blessed with outrageous skill, his game often leaves fans dazzled. But in an environment like Manchester United—chaotic, high-pressure, and relentlessly scrutinized—talent alone doesn’t buy time.

He joined as a marquee signing. But over time, injuries, inconsistent form, and personality clashes turned that dream into a prolonged struggle. What McCarthy’s comments reveal, though, is that there’s more to Sancho than meets the eye.

He wasn’t disruptive. He wasn’t lazy. He was simply… different. And in football, being different can sometimes be misunderstood.

FINAL WHISTLE: One Last Chance for Redemption?

Wherever Jadon Sancho ends up next, it will likely be his last big chance to prove he belongs at the top. Whether that’s in Turin, back in the Bundesliga, or elsewhere, the path forward is clear: perform, consistently, and prove the doubters wrong.

And if there’s one thing McCarthy’s reflection shows, it’s that the talent is still there. The only question that remains—will Sancho finally find a place where that talent can shine, every day, no days off?