Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was spotted beaming with pride after Jadon Sancho netted a vital equaliser against Leeds on Wednesday night.
It has been a particularly difficult season for the young England international, who hasn't started a fixture for the Red Devils since October of last year. Sancho's lengthy absence stems from the fact Ten Hag felt he wasn't in the right frame of mind or physically to contribute before the festive period.
Over the course of the World Cup and the weeks that followed, Sancho was placed on an individual training programme rather than joining up with the rest of his teammates for some mid-season warm-weather training in Spain.
All of this makes up parts of Sancho's emotional road to recovery that resulted in him netting the all-important equaliser against Leeds to spare United's blushes and contribute when his side needed him most.
Once the ball hit the back of the net, Sancho quickly darted off to celebrate with his teammates in front of the home fans, but Ten Hag's response was far more laid back.
The Dutchman simply broke into a proud smile, clearly delighted with how far Sancho has come to return to his former self and look more like the £73million man United bought in the summer of 2021.
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Ten Hag has long been a champion of Sancho and discussed the winger during his post-match media duties, insisting that the player has the full support of everyone at the club as he aims to get his United career back on track.
"He's all the way back," the United boss claimed. "I'm proud he did it. I'm backing him, the coaches are backing him, the team is backing but he has to do it by himself.
"It's in his own hands. If he wants, he can do it. I'm really enjoying seeing him playing the way he did with so much confidence and belief. We know he's a magnificent player. I think consistently he can have a big impact, but he has to work hard."
Sancho himself was quick to issue an update to fans, taking to Twitter to write: "I can't tell you how much I've missed this feeling! Team showed great character to stay in the game, we go again on the weekend."
The winger's goal means United add a point to their advantage over fourth-placed Newcastle, but will likely see it as two dropped in their efforts to make up ground and catch local rivals Manchester City in second.
