“This is the reason for his good performance at Dortmund. When he was in Dortmund, I watched all his matches and noticed the mistakes we have been making with him, and I found out why he has not been performing in Manchester United. This is what we are going to do with him to help him score goalsand assists more often”-Erik ten Hag stuns everyone by offering Jadon Sancho new Man Utd role nobody saw coming as which will give Sancho the freedom to score and assist more.
Manchester United’s head coach, Erik ten Hag, is reportedly considering a new role for Jadon Sancho this season, as the team navigates through a series of pre-season injuries affecting players like Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro, and Jonny Evans.
During their last match on the U.S. tour, a 3-0 loss to Liverpool, Sancho was deployed in a novel attacking position. This shift indicates ten Hag’s openness to experimenting with his lineup as the team gears up for the Community Shield and the new season. The club remains hopeful that key players, involved in summer international duties, will soon return to peak condition.
Among those yet to rejoin are Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo, who are still recovering from England’s Euro 2024 final defeat. On a positive note, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, and Diogo Dalot have resumed training at Carrington, bolstering the team’s pre-season preparations.
When asked about his forward options ahead of the upcoming match against Manchester City, ten Hag confirmed that Sancho could potentially play as a striker, stating, “Yes, otherwise we wouldn’t have tried him there.” This suggests that Sancho’s role as a forward is under serious consideration, especially if Hojlund remains sidelined.
Ten Hag also mentioned Joshua Zirkzee, a new addition to the squad, who has just begun training but requires time to adapt to English football and United’s style of play. Despite this, Sancho is seen as a viable option for the forward position, capable of playing both on the wing and as a false nine, offering the team tactical flexibility.
Marcus Rashford was highlighted as another potential central option, though ten Hag noted that Rashford excels when starting from the left and cutting inside. Bruno Fernandes also emerged as a possible choice for the forward role, underscoring the team’s tactical versatility.
This strategy reflects ten Hag’s adaptable approach to United’s offensive setup this season. With several players recovering from injuries, he is exploring various formations to ensure a dynamic and effective attack. The anticipated return of key players like Shaw, Mainoo, Fernandes, Garnacho, and Dalot will bolster the squad as they prepare for the Community Shield and the upcoming season.
Additionally, Zirkzee’s integration into the squad offers another possible solution for the striker position, though he will need time to adjust. Ten Hag’s willingness to utilize versatile players like Sancho and Fernandes in multiple attacking roles highlights a strategic flexibility that could prove advantageous as the season progresses, helping United manage the challenges and demands of competitive football.
