Gabby Agbonlahor breaks down why Man Utd’s Jadon Sancho is struggling | Football

Gabby Agbonlahor has urged fans to support Jadon Sancho and has offered some insight into why he is struggling so much at Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag said this week that Sancho is ‘physically and mentally’ struggling and admits he is unsure when he will be ready to return to first-team duties.

Sancho, who completed a £73m move to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, appeared set to enjoy a breakthrough season at United after scoring three goals before the September international break.

But United boss Ten Hag says he saw a downturn in Sancho’s performances after he was overlooked for a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Nations League matches prior to the World Cup.

Sancho, who was later omitted from the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, missed United’s final four games before the mid-season break for Qatar 2022 and was absent from the club’s recent two-match tour of Spain as he worked on his own fitness programme.

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‘When you start deleting your Instagram posts, there is something that’s not… there is something that is upsetting you – you are not yourself,’ Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

‘For him not to be with Manchester United and training with them, I think it’s more mental than physical. I think his mental health is not in the right place.

‘I think it’s a bit of both, lack of confidence but he is feeling down.

‘He’s probably thought to himself, he’s this young lad playing his best football at Borussia Dortmund, he gets his big move, he’s playing for England and all of a sudden he’s out of the squad, seeing his mates go to the World Cup.

‘It has probably taken a toll on him. He needs support around him. Mental health is for everyone, you can’t pick and choose.

‘People say because you make outstanding money your mental health should be fine, you’re a millionaire.

‘But he’s obviously struggling, he needs the support of his family and team-mates and he needs people to be there for him.

‘He’s done the right thing coming off social media. Sometimes when you’re not playing your best football and fans see you still enjoying life, going here, going there… you have to stop giving them ammo.

‘Behind the scenes he’s probably got his own personal trainer, trying to get his fitness back and his mental health back on track.’

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