Jadon Sancho reveals what it’s REALLY like to be back at Man United as his remarkable first team reintegration continues, having been banished for a bust-up with Erik ten Hag last season
- Jadon Sancho has played in United’s last four friendlies this summer
- He started as a central striker amid injuries and international commitments
- The 24-year-old and his manager have put last year’s feud behind them
Jadon Sancho is enjoying life again at Manchester United after being banned last season and has been reinstated into the first team.
The 24-year-old featured extensively for the Red Devils during pre-season, but injuries in attacking positions could see him start in Erik ten Hag’s Premier League opener against Fulham on August 16.
It is a remarkable turnaround for the winger, who was dropped from the first team last season after a disagreement with the Dutchman.
After refusing to apologise for an ill-considered social media post, Sancho was eventually loaned to his old club Borussia Dortmund for the second half of the season, reaching the Champions League final.
But now, despite persistent rumours of a summer departure, Sancho insists he is happy to be ‘back with the boys’ ahead of the new season.
Jadon Sancho was up front for the second game in a row as Man United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday
The 24-year-old claimed it was good to be reunited with his teammates this summer
Sancho was loaned out for the second half of last season after falling out with Erik ten Hag
Asked if he was happy to be playing again, he told MUTV: ‘Absolutely, 100 percent. 100 percent, yes.
‘It was fun, enjoying the weather, being back with the boys, it was good. I like the facilities in America.
‘When I’m free, I usually go to America of course. This is actually one of the places where I train for pre-season, so it’s nice to be back. I wouldn’t say it’s my home, but yeah, it’s a nice facility.’
Sancho has two years left on the £250,000-a-week contract he was given after joining United from Dortmund for £73million in 2021. The Bundesliga club are keen to re-sign Sancho but are said to struggle to pay those wages, as well as the £40million transfer fee United are demanding. Juventus are the other club with long-term interest, while a move to Paris Saint-Germain remains a possibility.
“We had a good talk,” Ten Hag said. “Everyone can make a mistake. If the player thinks about it, then you draw a line and move on. This club needs good players, and one thing is for sure: Jadon is a terribly good player. I hope that the click will come, and that he contributes to our success.”
Sources have also said that Sancho is ‘reflecting’ on the aftermath, suggesting he may not have offered Ten Hag the apology he wanted but was lenient enough to allow the two men to move on.
Insiders say that after those few months at Dortmund, Sancho has re-integrated as if he had never been away. They describe a bubbly character with a good sense of humor who can have a positive influence on those around him. Everyone wants to keep it that way, they say, whether he is there for the short or long term.
The United manager has a few selection headaches ahead of the Community Shield and Premier League opener
Sancho has not scored for Man United since the final day of the 2022-23 season, but Ten Hag may still have to start him up front for the season opener against the Cottagers with Rasmus Hojlund likely to be out until September and Joshua Zirkzee yet to fully start team training.
The team endured a tough end to their US tour, suffering a crushing 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool early on Sunday morning at Williams-Brice Stadium.