Jadon Sancho seems to have received a lifeline from Manchester United after the striker had encouraging conversations with Erik ten Hag and resumed his preseason workouts.
After a public confrontation with Ten Hag in the previous season, the 24-year-old was barred from United’s first team and played the second half of the season on loan with his former team, Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho’s return to Germany seems to have rejuvenated him, as the England international excelled throughout Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final, where Real Madrid finally emerged victorious.
After his brief stint in the Bundesliga ended earlier this summer, Sancho’s future was unclear, and some sources suggested the winger looked for a new challenge outside of Old Trafford.
However, Sancho was beaming at today’s preseason workout at Carrington, and according to Sky Sports, Ten Hag and the striker have both decided to let the past go and move on.
It’s understood the former Manchester City academy graduate will be available for United’s pre-season games, starting away to Rosenborg in Norway next week.
The Red Devils also take on Rangers, Arsenal, Real Betis and arch-rivals Liverpool before their Community Shield clash with City on August 10. Ten Hag’s men open their Premier League campaign versus Fulham at the Theatre of Dreams five days later.
Ten Hag had provided little indication that Sancho could be welcomed back at United but praised the attacker’s scintillating performance in Dortmund’s semi-final first leg win over Paris Saint-Germain in May.
‘So let’s say this – yesterday he played very good and he’s a very good player, the United head coach told reporters at the time.
‘Yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed he represents a high value for Manchester United, which is good.
‘I’m happy for Jadon, for the performance yesterday, and we’ll see what is going to happen in the future.’
Sancho said he had been a ‘scapegoat’ in a post on X which was later deleted
Ten Hag’s disagreement with Sancho arose after he accused the Englishman of failing to reach the ‘level’ required to be included in United’s squad for their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Sancho hit back, insisting he was being made a ‘scapegoat’ in a post on X which was later deleted.
‘Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week,’ Sancho wrote.
‘I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been made a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair! All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team.
‘I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and gratful to do so which I know every week is a challenge.
‘I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!’