Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has called on Jadon Sancho to improve his form and demanded more commitment from the player.
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Sancho was used in the starting XI for 10 of Ten Hag’s first 11 Premier League games for United but has not played in any of the last three through illness.
Sancho is recuperating during the World Cup in order to resuscitate his career after failing to make the England team for the competition.
Things have not gone to plan for the England international since joining United from Borussia Dortmund in a £72m deal in the summer of 2021.
Sancho has scored just eight goals in 52 matches for the Red Devils having netted 50 goals in just over three years for the Bundesliga club.
Sancho had initially started the campaign strongly and found the net in two of United’s first three wins of the Premier League season – against Liverpool and Leicester. He was a regular in a fluid three-man attack under Ten Hag which also had Rashford as an undisputed starter.
But, the arrival of Antony from Ajax made sure that the Brazil star was a regular in United’s attack while Anthony Martial’s return from injury pushed Rashford to the left of the attack – the position where Sancho has most played.
Also, the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho has limited Sancho’s importance in United’s attack while Anthony Elanga has also been played by Ten Hag. However, the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo may ensure Sancho is given more playing time.
A report by the Metro reveals how Ten Hag has now made a demand of Sancho to improve certain aspects of his approach to football. The player’s quality and physical attributes are not in doubt, but questions have emerged that his application may not be at the same level as several of his teammates.
Speaking back in September, Ten Hag said of Sancho: “He’s doing well, but I think there’s much more room for improvement for him because he has so many skills.
“We will fill in the period really good. We can go specific. That can be beneficial to continue the season. We know, after this break, every three days there will be a game.”
