Ten Hag could recall Sancho to squad
LAST-MINUTE DECISION ON ENGLAND STAR’S FITNESS
JADON Sancho could return to the Manchester United squad for the first time since October 30 in their FA Cup fourth round tie against Reading this evening.
Sancho has not played for United since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22 and it emerged in November he had taken a break from social media.
United manager Erik ten Hag recommended coaches for Sancho to train under in the Netherlands as part of a curated programme.
Sancho travelled to the Netherlands in November and also trained there into December.
The 22-year-old resumed squad training at United’s Carrington training complex last week and Ten Hag planned to decide after the final session on Friday whether to select Sancho in the 20-man squad.
“We always have issues but I think we will have a strong selection for this game, we have a good squad, we can cover things,” Ten
Hag said. “He (Sancho) is training with the team and we will see. So he’s improving, he’s making steps and we will make the decision after training.
“I said he’s on the way back, he’s making steps, he’s back in team training and we have to see when he’s ready to go back into games.” Ten Hag confirmed Diogo Dalot is still sidelined with a muscular injury and there is a “question mark” over Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial is not expected to return. Reading, managed by former United midfielder Paul Ince, are 14th in the Championship and beat Watford in the last round. With survival the priority for the Royals, United are expected to win comfortably irrespective of how much Ten Hag rotates the team.
Ten Hag refused to underestimate Ince’s side. “That’s on paper,” he said of the likelihood United would progress. “Football is never decided on paper.
“We have to be ready for every game, every opponent will be tough, especially in the cup for them it’s a perfect chance, we have to be aware of that, be on the front foot, be focused and show energy.”
He’s improving, he’s making steps and we will make the decision after training Erik ten Hag on Jadon Sancho’s fitness