Erik ten Hag suggests Jadon Sancho WILL get game time if he stays at Man United beyond deadline day
- Jadon Sancho has not played in Man United’s first two Premier League games
- Juventus and Chelsea have both shown interest in the 24-year-old winger this summer
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Erik ten Hag is preparing for the possibility of Jadon Sancho staying at Manchester United as talks with Juventus continue just hours before the transfer window closes.
Juve are leading the chase for Sancho, but the Italians’ £250,000-a-week wage and desire to loan him rather than buy him permanently are stumbling blocks.
Chelsea have also tried to swap Sancho for Raheem Sterling, but the chances of that happening seem slim.
It still seems unlikely that the 24-year-old will remain at United after the deadline, given his fragile relationship with Ten Hag and the fact he was left out of the squad for the opening two Premier League games against Fulham and Brighton.
However, the Dutchman stresses that an extra player could be useful after the international break, as an extended Europa League starts then and United play every three days.
Jadon Sancho played in the Community Shield but has not played for Man United since
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured speaking to Sancho during a match in August 2023
Asked if he expected Sancho to stay, Ten Hag said: ‘As far as I know, yes. He is a player in our squad and we are happy with him. We need a good squad, we need depth. We have to play a lot of games until January. After the break we play every third day, so we need options.’
Meanwhile, United are set to announce the arrival of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for £50m, replacing Scott McTominay, who is moving to Napoli for £30m.
Ten Hag explained the move by stressing that he saw McTominay as a third number 10 alongside Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, and that he needed another defensive midfielder.
Furthermore, the McTominay deal counts as 100 percent profit under Financial Fair Play rules because he is a home-grown player.
“To make the change, it’s not a comparison that you can compare those players,” he added. “We had three No 10s and we had no other holding midfielders except one, so that’s the idea.”
Winger Sancho (right) pictured while playing for Borussia Dortmund on loan last season
Ten Hag said about McTominay’s departure from the club where he played his youth: ‘I am very happy for him, but it is double, because I would not want to lose him.
‘He is Man United in everything. He was so important to Man United. He was here for more than 22 years, but unfortunately those are the rules. Home-grown players bring more value and that is not the right thing to do, but for everyone. But for all parts it is a good deal. Scott is happy with it, and Napoli and us.’
Ten Hag also confirmed that Mount is his only injury absence at Liverpool and provided an update on Rasmus Hojlund’s hamstring injury.
‘[He will be back] ‘After the break, but when after the break?’ he added. ‘We have to see how it develops to get him match fit. He will return to the pitch, but that will take some time. You have to build up some fitness as well.’
