Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Two Man Utd exits possible after major Sancho development, as Ten Hag reveals what Garnacho does that few others can

Jadon Sancho of Manchester United during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League match at Stadio di Bergamo, Bergamo

A pair of Man Utd exits in the forward line have been given a nudge after Jadon Sancho was brought back into the fold, while Erik ten Hag has named the one frightening skill Alejandro Garnacho has that few others possess.

Sancho began the season brightly, though quickly faded in the months prior to the World Cup break, The 22-year-old has not played for United since late-October amid concerns over his fitness, mental wellbeing and application.

Sancho missed the club’s warm-weather training camp during the World Cup and was instead placed on an individual training program in the Netherlands.

A timeline had not been placed on the winger’s return to first-team group training. However, according to the Athletic, Sancho was brought back into the mix on Tuesday.

The outlet notes Sancho was not ‘exiled or dropped’ from the squad, with the player aligned with Ten Hag in believing some form of change was required.

The Dutch boss has guided United to nine straight victories in Sancho’s absence, though now has a new weapon to call upon for his flanks.

Sancho’s return may also have ramifications on the futures of two current forwards.

Both Anthony Elanga and Facundo Pellistri are being linked with loan moves away. Elanga is wanted to Borussia Dortmund, Everton and Bournemouth. Pellistri, meanwhile, has offers from Valencia, Bologna and Flamengo, per Fabrizio Romano.

talkSPORT reported Elanga is only likely to be given the green light to move in the event United sign a replacement – or bring Sancho back into the mix. The latter has now happened.

It stands to reason the same situation applied to Pellistri who Romano reported a meeting has been scheduled for later this week to determine whether any of the three offers will be accepted.

Now Sancho has returned to first-team training, the chances of either forward being loaned out have swelled.

Garnacho has trait “I don’t see many players in the EPL having” – Ten Hag

Elsewhere, Ten Hag has lauded rising youngster Alejandro Garnacho.

The 18-year-old had been criticised for his apparent lack of professionalism, though now appears to have got the message loud and clear.

Garnacho has been a revelation this season and provided the assist for Marcus Rashford’s winning goal in the derby. That brought his goals contributions tally across all competitions this year to seven, and the Man City moment came via beating his marker one-v-one.

Ten Hag hailed the Argentine for that rare trait, claiming he doesn’t see many other Premier League players able to win one-v-one’s as much as Garnacho does.

When asked how much Garnacho has improved, Ten Hag said (via the Manchester Evening News): “A lot. He has a skill that I don’t see many players in the Premier League having – he beats players one-on-one.

“But he’s learnt in the last months about how to play in a team, how to live, how to do the right things in the week, how to have the right attitude on the training ground and you see how he’s acting as a team player and with his individual skills that can make the difference.

“Also for him, it’s to keep going in the process. It’s not done. There is a lot to come.

“There is a lot of room for improvement with him but he can help, he can contribute on the highest level already and I’m really happy.

“It’s a bonus for us as a club that you bring in young players and they can come not only into the squad but the team and I think that is a part of our project that has to contribute to our success.”

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