Manchester United boss happy for outcast Sancho after Dortmund win
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag expressed satisfaction with Jadon Sancho’s impressive performance in the Champions League for Borussia Dortmund, but he remained non-committal about the winger’s future at United.
On Wednesday, the £74m winger excelled in Dortmund’s 1-0 semi-final first-leg win against Paris St-Germain.
Sancho had been sidelined by Ten Hag after declining to apologize for a controversial social media post in September, in which the England international stated he felt scapegoated by the manager.
He rejoined Dortmund on a loan deal in January.
“Yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and why he represents a high value for Manchester United,” said Ten Hag.
“That is good. I’m happy for Jadon, with his performance yesterday. We’ll see what is going to happen in the future.”
If Ten Hag remains manager, it is difficult to see how Sancho can stay at Old Trafford for the remaining two years of his contract.
Dortmund are keen for Sancho to return next term, although it is unlikely they would match his wages or anything close to the fee United paid for him.
Clearout suggestions ‘a joke’
Ten Hag has refuted claims that Manchester United is looking to offload nearly their entire squad this summer.
Reports, including one from BBC Sport, suggested that the club was open to receiving offers for most of its players as part of a strategy to contend for major titles.
However, Ten Hag has dismissed the idea of a massive squad overhaul.
“It’s a joke,” he said. “As long as I’ve worked [in football], every summer [it is reported] Manchester United are interested in 200 players. We did some research. Also, every summer we sell all of the players in our squad.”
However, Ten Hag acknowledges United have some work ahead of them to catch Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
“We know we are still below the levels of the expectations around Manchester United – we have to catch up,” he said.
“I’m now going into my fifth window. Two windows were quite OK, the other two we missed. The base of our squad is very good but we have to make improvements.”