Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has called on Jadon Sancho to step up his form and demanded more commitment from the winger.
Sancho was used in the starting line-up for 10 of Ten Hag's first 11 Premier League matches for United but has not featured in any of the last three through illness. Sancho is recuperating during the World Cup in a bid to resuscitate his career after failing to make the England squad for the tournament.
Things have not gone to plan for the talented winger since joining United from Borussia Dortmund in a £72million deal in the summer of 2021. Sancho has scored just eight goals in 52 appearances for the Red Devils having netted 50 goals in just over three seasons for the Bundesliga side.
Sancho had initially started the season strongly and found the net in two of United's first three victories of the Premier League campaign – against Liverpool and Leicester. He was a regular in a fluid three-man attack under Ten Hag which also had Marcus Rashford as an undisputed starter.
However, the arrival of Antony from Ajax made sure that the Brazil international was a regular in United's attack while Anthony Martial’s return from injury pushed Rashford to the left of the attack – the position where Sancho has most commonly played.
Furthermore, the emergence of Argentine teenage talent Alejandro Garnacho has further limited Sancho's importance in United's attack while Anthony Elanga has also been played by Ten Hag. However, the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford may ensure Sancho is afforded more playing time.
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A report cited by the Metro outlines how Ten Hag has now made a demand of Sancho to improve certain aspects of his approach to football. The 22-year-old's quality and physical attributes are not in doubt, but questions have emerged that the player’s application may not be at the same level as several of his teammates.
Speaking back in September, Ten Hag said of Sancho: "He's doing well, but I think there's much more room for improvement for him because he has so many skills. "We will fill in the period really good. We can go specific. That can be beneficial to continue the season. We know, after this break, every three days there will be a game."
By the time domestic football returns in late December, Sancho will have had two months without a competitive match and will be eyeing a sustained run in United’s starting line-up and playing a key role in the second half of the campaign for Ten Hag.
