Manchester United fans opening their official 2024 calendar for January were met with a surprising image – that of Jadon Sancho, a player who has been excluded from the squad since September. The calendar’s choice of featuring Sancho raises eyebrows, considering the ongoing rift between the player and manager Erik ten Hag.

Sancho, who was signed for £73 million in 2021, has struggled to make a significant impact at Old Trafford. Following a social media post where he accused Ten Hag of lying about his training performance, Sancho was sent to train with the academy teams. This decision came after he was dropped from the squad for a match against Arsenal on September 3.

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The 23-year-old hasn’t played for United since, training and eating in the academy facilities at Carrington, away from the first-team squad. With the relationship strained, United is expected to seek to offload Sancho during the transfer window this month.

The official calendar, which has already seen a price reduction, also features Raphael Varane (May) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (September), both of whom can engage in talks with overseas clubs for a potential summer transfer as of January 1.

February’s player is Mason Mount, March features Luke Shaw, and April showcases Casemiro. Other players, including Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and newcomers like Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, are highlighted throughout the year.

The calendar’s release follows Manchester United’s disappointing New Year’s defeat against Nottingham Forest, leaving them seventh in the Premier League table. The team is set to return to action in the FA Cup third round against Wigan Athletic on January 8. The ongoing issues with Sancho and the challenging season so far add layers of uncertainty to the future of the squad.