Erik ten Hag has said the talent of Jadon Sancho was never ‘the issue’ preventing him from being a success at Manchester United.
Sancho was shipped out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window after a public fallout with Ten Hag. The winger hit back at the Manchester United manager after criticism of his performances in training, having been dropped from the squad to face Arsenal in September.
The 24-year-old rejoined former club Dortmund in the winter window and featured as the German side beat Atletico Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night.
Asked what he made of Sancho competing in the latter stages of the Champions League, Ten Hag said that ability was never the issue with the winger at Old Trafford.
“Of course, I follow international football and follow the players on loan at other clubs,” Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference, ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final with Coventry this weekend.
“It was a fantastic game, Dortmund against Atletico Madrid. A great performance from Dortmund and for Jadon it’s good news. He made his contribution to the result for Dortmund.”
Asked if Sancho’s form had changed his stance on the player’s future at Old Trafford, Ten Hag added: “No, but we know Jadon Sancho is a fantastic football player, so that is not a surprise for us, that is not the issue.”
Ten Hag also addressed an issue with Alejandro Garnacho, after the teenager liked a social media post criticising his half-time substitution against Bournemouth.
“Alejandro is a young player, has to learn a lot. He apologised for it and after that we move on.”
