'Really stupid' - Chris Sutton gives verdict on Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho saga at Man United

Former Blackburn and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has criticised Erik ten Hag for throwing Jadon Sancho 'under the bus' but believes the winger's Manchester United days are numbered.

Sancho was left out of the United squad for Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, with Ten Hag admitting after the result that it was due to his poor performances in training.

"You have to reach a level every day at Manchester United and we can make choices on the frontline, so for this game he wasn't selected," he said.

But in an extraordinary response, the 23-year-old posted on social media that his performances in training had been good and that there were 'other reasons' for his omission. He did not specify those reasons but insisted he had been made a scapegoat. There now seems to be a rift between manager and player, and Sutton believes both are in the wrong. The former striker added that he cannot see a way back for Sancho.

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"I don't understand why Erik ten Hag would out him publicly and chuck him under the bus," Sutton told Mail Sport's It's All Kicking Off podcast.

And after being told the Dutchman gave a straight answer to a question, he added: "Well don't give a straight answer because the consequence of that is there is a good chance you're going to lose a talented player.

"By the way, I don't agree with Sancho and the way he's responded. What happened to going to knock on the manager's door if a manager has outed you publicly?

"I think it's a really stupid thing for Ten Hag to do. I mean, it looks like Sancho's days are numbered at Manchester United."

Sancho had featured in all three of United's matches prior to Sunday's meeting with Arsenal,