Jadon Sancho is enjoying life back at Manchester United after being reintegrated back into the first team squad following his exile last term.
The 24-year-old has featured extensively for the Red Devils during pre-season, while injuries in the forward positions means he could start Erik ten Hag’s side’s Premier League opener against Fulham on August 16.
It is a remarkable turnaround for the winger, who was banished from the first team last term after falling out with the Dutchman.
Sancho’s refusal to apologise for an ill-advised social media post eventually saw him loaned out to former club Borussia Dortmund for the second half of the campaign, where he reached the Champions League final.
But now, despite persistent links with a summer departure, Sancho insists that he is happy to ‘be back with lads’ ahead of the new campaign.
Jadon Sancho started up front for the second game in a row as Man United suffered a 3-0 defeat by Liverpool on Saturday night
The 24-year-old claimed that it has been good to be reunited with his team-mates again this summer
Sancho was sent out on loan for the second half of last season following his falling out with Erik ten Hag
Asked if he is glad to be back playing, he told MUTV: ‘Definitely, 100 per cent. 100 per cent, yes.
‘It’s been nice, enjoying the weather, back with the lads, it’s been good. I love the facilities in America.
‘Obviously when I have time off, I usually come to America. This is actually one of the places I do train before pre-season so it’s nice to be back. I wouldn’t say it’s home but yes, it’s a nice facility.’
Sancho still has two years left on the £250,000-a-week contract he was given after joining United from Dortmund for £73million in 2021. The Bundesliga club want to re-sign Sancho but would struggle to afford those wages as well as the £40million transfer fee United are demanding. Juventus are the other club with a long-standing interest, while a move to Paris Saint-Germain remains a possibility.
‘We spoke well,’ said the Ten Hag said. ‘Anyone can make a mistake. If the player reflects well on that, then you draw a line and move on again. This club needs good players, and one thing is for sure: Jadon is a terribly good player. I hope that the click still comes, and that he will contribute to our success.’
Sources have also spoken about Sancho ‘reflecting’ on the fall-out, which suggests he might have stopped short of giving Ten Hag the apology he wanted but softened enough for the two men to move on.
Insiders say that Sancho has fitted back in like he has never been away after those few months at Dortmund. They describe a bubbly character with a good sense of humour who can be a positive influence on those around him. Everyone wants to keep it that way, they say, whether he is around for the short or long-term.
The United boss has a few selections headaches ahead of the Community Shield and Premier League opener
Sancho has not scored for Man United since the final day of the 2022-2023 season but Ten Hag may be forced to start him up front in their opener against the Cottagers with Rasmus Hojlund expected to be out until September and Joshua Zirkzee yet to start full team training.
The side endured a difficult end to their US tour as they were handsomely beaten by rivals Liverpool 3-0 at the Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night.
