Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho may have just squandered his last lifeline handed to him by boss Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils took part in their first pre-season game of the season against Leeds in Oslo on Wednesday afternoon, as Sancho was named alongside the senior players as the Dutch boss picked two completely different teams for each half of the 2-0 victory.
Sancho operated up front in a new role for the 23-year-old, though he was used in a central position last season but much deeper. With United’s lack of options up front it represented an opportunity for Sancho to reinvent himself after underwhelming since moving to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund.
He has been mentioned with a possible exit this summer as the club look to raise funds for further incomings to bolster Ten Hag’s squad, with a goalkeeper, striker, centre-back and another midfielder still eyed for what would be an ideal transfer window.
Sancho was unable to stake his claim as a striker as he struggled to get the better of the two Leeds centre-backs apart from one clean turn, with United going goalless in the first half before wholesale changes were made for the second 45 minutes.
As Wout Weghorst returned to his parent club Burnley and Anthony Martial proving that he cannot be relied upon for a whole season due to injury concerns, United have a lack of options to lead the line as Marcus Rashford often filled that role last season.
But Sancho was unable to take this opportunity, rarely troubling the Leeds goalkeeper, only further highlighting to the club chiefs that another striker is necessary before the Premier League season kicks off on August 11.
Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund has been the latest striker targeted by the Red Devils having been priced out of moves for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, as reports out of the club all summer have followed the trend that Ten Hag is desperate for a new marquee striker.
There is a chance that Sancho could move in the opposite direction out the door, as Tottenham have been linked with a move alongside a return to Dortmund.
However, with United likely to slap a huge price tag on the winger having paid £73million to sign him in 2019, another year at Old Trafford is looking increasingly unlikely unless another club stumps up a big fee.
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