Three ways Jadon Sancho can reshape Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United attack

On Friday afternoon, Manchester United released a statement confirming the return of winger Jadon Sancho to first-team training for the first time since September 2023.

The English forward and Erik ten Hag had a falling out that became very public around the time of United’s defeat to Arsenal last September. This led to Jadon Sancho‘s exile from the squad. He was loaned to his former club, Borussia Dortmund, in January.

Manchester United‘s release followed news that Sancho and Ten Hag engaged in positive talks this week and have agreed to move on from their dispute. Sancho is now available for United’s upcoming pre-season games.

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It has been a long road to get here, much longer than many hoped, and whilst the true details behind the falling out remain unknown publicly, there is no need to ponder on these now that the two parties have agreed to move on.

Now, to talk about football.

It’s clear to all parties that it hasn’t quite gone as well as hoped for Jadon Sancho since joining United for a multitude of reasons. But clear also is the talent he possesses, something Ten Hag has spoken of in incredibly high regard on a number of occasions. Even since the fallout, he has reiterated that talent was never the issue.

Sancho’s Dortmund spell saw him lose some weight, an issue many players have had in recent years at United is bulking up too much, and he was noticeably sharper and quicker off the mark as a result. His excellent Champions League semi-final performance against PSG highlighted this, with Sancho dribbling for fun all game.

That night, he was playing as though he had a point to prove and if he is to remain with the squad going into next season, he will have an even bigger one to prove about his quality. The Ten Hag situation, United’s increasing attacking depth, his Old Trafford career to date, and the general point United have to prove right now sets up a scenario where Sancho can either rise to the levels the majority expected as United returns to the top of football, or sinks.

It is completely understandable why many United fans would still prefer to see the player move on, but if he and Erik ten Hag are truly past their issues, then I think Sancho could add a lot to the Dutchman’s attack next season.

Sancho offers depth in all attacking positions. He can play off both wings, as a number 10 and as a makeshift centre forward. We have seen him play in all of these positions so far in his United career, and it gives Erik ten Hag flexibility in an attack that contains a mix of profiles. Joshua Zirkzee, another interesting one, is due to join in the coming days. There are a lot of tactical options.

Sancho can intricately link up with players like Zirkzee and Amad but also has the passing quality to slip in runners like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Højlund. His inclination to pass before shooting is one thing that Ten Hag values; having wingers with patience and pass-first mindsets has been a key factor in his past teams establishing final-third dominance.

Positionally, Sancho understands what the requirements are in United’s possession phases. In the games in 2022/23, where he played bravely, he created a number of shots from his smart passes.

With Luke Shaw hopefully fit, Diogo Dalot advancing his final third game, and the quality of players like Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount in making support runs and linking up with wide players, the team is in a good place for Sancho to thrive.

The off-ball work will need to improve. INEOS’ commitment to improving the club’s sports science department and the physical conditioning of the players should help, but his mindset is another thing, and Sancho will need to be much more intense and brave.

With the number of options United have and a second chance being given to him, the onus is now completely on him to take this chance. He has the qualities to be a key player for Erik ten Hag and really thrive at Manchester United now, the mentality has to be correct.

If he takes this opportunity, it could revive his career and provide a huge boost for Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United attack.

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