Ten Hag finally admits Man Utd transfer was 'not a success' in honest assessment

Erik ten Hag has described Jadon Sancho's spell at Manchester United as "not a success" after the winger's temporary exit.

Sancho, 23, rejoined Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season on Thursday. The England international was dropped from Ten Hag's squad in September after falling out with the United boss in public and hasn't played for his parent club since.

Sancho made his comeback in Dortmund's 3-0 Bundesliga win at Darmstadt on Saturday, as he came off the bench to assist a late Marco Reus goal. Ten Hag was asked about Sancho's exit ahead of United's game against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ten Hag explained: "After he was signed, one year before (I arrived), there were issues. We've had issues all the way through (Sancho's time at United). So you can make out that his stay here at Manchester United, so far, is not a success."

Yet Ten Hag hopes Sancho will regain his form in Germany. He added: "So now he's going back to Borussia Dortmund and I wish him the best of luck. I hope, we hope, that he does very well there and he will be successful. Then we will see what's going to happen."

Sancho's row with Ten Hag became public after United's 3-1 loss at Arsenal in September. Ten Hag claimed Sancho was axed for his performances in training, but the player immediately disputed these claims on social media and described himself as a "scapegoat".

Ten Hag was then asked whether Sancho would've been reintegrated if he had publicly apologised. He replied: "Yeah but we have said that before and I don't want every time to return to that point. He knows what he should do and we have made that clear.

"It was also so clear and obvious about his performances, so let's stop this discussion. He's at Dortmund and we wish him the best of luck."

Sancho's record for United in the Premier League is poor. He's scored just nine goals and provided a mere six assists in his 58 outings. In comparison, the exiled star has 38 goals and 52 assists to his name in the Bundesliga, having played 105 games in the division.

Sancho has also broken his silence. He told reporters following Saturday's game: "Ever since I've come back I have felt like at home and felt great to be on the pitch again. It was meant to be, coming back and seeing Marco. I am just happy to set up his goal."

Sancho's aim will be to help Dortmund qualify for the Champions League and break back into England's squad ahead of Euro 2024, which takes place in Germany. Dortmund are fifth in the Bundesliga table, three points behind RB Leipzig in fourth.

When asked about his targets, Sancho said: "To be happy again, to be back on the pitch and help the team - getting them back into the top three and the Champions League of course. We take it game by game. We will fight every game."