Dan Ashworth reveals real reason Jadon Sancho left Man Utd to join Chelsea

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth insists there was not another falling out between Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag.

Sancho completed a deadline day move to Chelsea last Friday, joining the Blues on an initial loan deal with the obligation to buy next summer.

The former Borussia Dortmund star was banished from the first-team last year after his public falling out with ten Hag but he and the Dutchman appeared to bury the hatchet during pre-season with Sancho returning to the side.

The 24-year-old was left out of the United squad for the opening two matches of the season against Fulham and Crystal Palace – reportedly reiterating his desire to leave Old Trafford after being snubbed on the opening day of the season against the Cottagers.

Sancho was one of 13 players moved on this summer with Scott McTominay and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the most high profile departures, leaving to join Napoli and West Ham United respectively.

As was the case with all three of those players, Ashworth explained Sancho’s desire to leave was the key factor in his move.

United’s sporting director also explained the club were satisfied they have enough options in wide positions in Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony.

‘I think with any player, whether it’s Jadon, whether it’s Scott [McTominay] or whether it’s Aaron, if there’s a preference that they would like to move and go to a new club and it’s right for them and it’s right for us, then you have to explore it,’ Ashworth told Sky Sports.

‘We felt we had enough depth in that particular position to be able to cover it, we’ve got four really good wide players, Jadon was a fifth, and it just enabled us to make that decision.

‘If it was good for him and good for us it was something we were willing to consider.’

Ashworth dismissed suggestions a ‘truce’ between Sancho and ten Hag had been broken, insisting no one has been ‘kicked out’ of the club this summer.

‘Nothing to do with that. It was a decision that we made – if it’s right for Jadon and it’s right for us to move on. He wanted to explore the opportunity at Chelsea, like Scott wanted to explore the opportunity at Napoli, like Aaron wanted to explore the opportunity at West Ham.

‘We’re not in a position where we’re kicking players out of the club.’