Jadon Sancho has admitted Manchester United's players have a point to prove this season.
Sancho joined United from Borussia Dortmund for £72.9million last summer, but he failed to hit the ground running in the Premier League. United's performances worsened and Sancho looked short of confidence, just like most players at the club.
However, the 22-year-old gradually got better as the season progressed and there were glimpses of the player that regularly dazzled at Dortmund. Sancho ended the season with just five goals and three assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, though, and he'll be desperate to improve on that return next term, along with helping United to climb back up the table.
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Sancho started in all four of United's games in pre-season and, speaking after the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, the winger reflected on his first year at the club and he also lauded the influence of Erik ten Hag.
“Last year wasn’t great and I feel like everyone has something to prove for this upcoming season,” Sancho said.
"We don’t want to put performances in like we did last year and upset the fans. Some fans travelled for a long time to get to the stadium and watch us not perform. I’m sure, this year, everyone is going to make up for that and make sure every game we play we put 100 per cent in and make sure the fans are smiling at the end of the game.
"It’s my second year now, settling into the team, knowing how players play and I’m excited for the upcoming season, with a new manager and how he wants us to play. think it will be good for myself. The training, especially in pre-season, has been a real positive and all the lads have taken on board what he’s saying.
“You can see it in the games, we’re creating a lot more chances, keeping the ball more and just making good things out of the style we’re playing. This is my first pre-season with United because, last year, I had an infection in my ear, so I couldn’t do the whole pre-season with the team which was a bit annoying at the time.
“It meant a lack of fitness and understanding of how the players play. But now, this season, I feel a lot more comfortable and, especially scoring in pre-season, it is a confidence boost for myself and, hopefully, I can take that into the season and keep it going.
"This pre-season, we have the same players, but it just looks like a whole different team and I do think that’s something we’re working on and I feel like we’re getting better. The manager is big on team-bonding and having fun together and doing things like team dinners and things like that. So, yeah, it’s helping."
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