August 16th 2024.
Jadon Sancho was unable to make an appearance in Manchester United's game against Fulham on Friday night. According to manager Erik ten Hag, Sancho was not fully fit due to an ear infection but was still considered for the match. However, Ten Hag ultimately decided to leave him out of the squad and opt for other players instead.
Despite the anticipation surrounding Sancho's return from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund and his involvement in pre-season, the 24-year-old was not even included on the bench for United's first Premier League game of the season. It was a narrow 1-0 victory for the Red Devils, with new signing Joshua Zirkzee scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute and propelling the team to the top of the table.
Ten Hag emphasized the importance of squad depth, especially in a grueling season where only the fittest will survive. He explained that he could only select 20 players for the match and Sancho, who was suffering from an ear infection, was not in top form. However, the manager assured that Sancho will have his chance to play as the season progresses and the team needs to rotate players.
The absence of Sancho allowed for other players to shine, such as Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford who started on the wings, and Bruno Fernandes who played up front. Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho also made appearances off the bench, while Antony was a forward option among the substitutes but did not get called upon.
Ten Hag praised Zirkzee's debut goal, stating that it was crucial for a striker to score and the young forward showed his ability to do so in his first match for the club. As for Sancho, the manager acknowledged that it can be frustrating for a player to not be selected, but he reassured that every player will have their chance to prove themselves.
Amidst speculations of a potential exit for Sancho from Manchester United this summer, his absence in the first game has only added fuel to the fire. However, with Ten Hag's explanation and the team's strong start to the season, it seems that Sancho will have to wait for his opportunity to make an impact on the pitch.
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