'Jadon Sancho is a fantastic football player' - Erik ten Hag

Cameron Smith

• 19 Apr 2024 17:30 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has admitted that Jadon Sancho is “a fantastic football player,” but hinted that a summer return to Old Trafford remains difficult.

Sancho, 24, is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund after being frozen out at Man Utd following a public bust-up with Ten Hag in September.

The former England international was omitted from the Red Devils’ matchday squad to face Arsenal earlier this season, with Ten Hag citing a lack of effort in training as the reason why Sancho was not included in Man Utd’s team.

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Sancho disagreed with the Dutchman and the pair were unable to resolve their differences, which led to the 24-year-old being removed from the first-team picture and eventually loaned to Dortmund in January.

Since returning to the Signal Iduna Park, Sancho has rediscovered his best form and he played a key role as Dortmund knocked out Atletico Madrid to progress into the Champions League semi-final stage.

Ahead of Man Utd’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Coventry City on Sunday, Ten Hag was asked about Sancho and whether his form at Dortmund could lead to a Man Utd revival next season.

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“Of course I follow international football and the players on loan in all the clubs. It was a fantastic game, Dortmund-Atletico Madrid and a great performance from Dortmund,” Ten Hag said.

"For Jadon it's good news because he made his contribution to this result for Dortmund.

"No, but we know Jadon Sancho is a fantastic football player. That's not a surprise for us. That's not the issue.”

Jadon Sancho open to Man Utd return

Although Ten Hag didn’t explicitly say that Sancho has no chance of returning to Man Utd last summer, his comments suggest that the Englishman remains unlikely to play a part at Old Trafford next campaign.

However, recent reports have stated that Sancho would be open to a Man Utd return if Ten Hag is sacked.

The former Ajax manager remains under pressure following a fairly average 2023-24 campaign, and several different names, including Roberto De Zerbi, Graham Potter and Thomas Frank, have been touted as possible replacements for Ten Hag.