Erik ten Hag has confirmed Jadon Sancho could make his Manchester United return this weekend against Reading.
The winger’s last appearance came in October against Chelsea, and he spent the World Cup break on an individual training programme in the Netherlands while the rest of his club team-mates were in Spain.
In a relatively vague update on Sancho last month, Ten Hag said the 22-year-old was not “physically and mentally” ready to be involved.
Sancho is now nearing a return though having taken part in first-team training, and could be involved on Saturday as Reading make the trip to Old Trafford in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
“He is training with the team and we will see, so he’s improving, he’s making steps and we will make the decision after training,” Ten Hag told reporters on Friday.
“I said he’s on the way back, he’s making steps, he’s back in team training and we have to see when he’s ready to go back into games.”
United are on a 10-match winning streak across all competitions at Old Trafford, and will fancy their chances of extending that run against familiar FA Cup opposition. They knocked the Championship side out of the competition in 2013, 2017 and 2019.
While Ten Hag knows his side are strong favourites, he insists there will be no complacency from the hosts.
“That’s on paper, football is never decided on paper, we have to be ready for every game,” Ten Hag said.
“Every opponent will be tough, especially in the cup for them, it’s a perfect chance, we have to be aware of that, be on the front foot, focused and energy.
“We want to win every game, so we plan every game fully and the next game is also the most important game.”
