For Jadon Sancho, Wednesday night was almost the dream return. The England international came off the bench and scored a vital equaliser for Manchester United, but the Reds - to the surprise of many - weren't able to go on and get a winner against Leeds.
The 22-year-old attacker was named in a league matchday squad for the first time this year against Crystal Palace last weekend, but he remained an unused substitute. However, with the Reds trailing 2-0 to Leeds at Old Trafford in midweek, Sancho was introduced. Just minutes later, his England teammate Marcus Rashford pulled a goal back for the home side. United had the goal they needed.
Erik ten Hag's men pushed for an equaliser against the Whites, but for some time, it appeared as though it was going to be one of those days for the Reds. Yet, Sancho, who had spent a period away from the first team, made his mark. The former Borussia Dortmund man was sent on in the 59th minute - and he grabbed the equaliser just 11 minutes later.
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It has been an underwhelming campaign for the Englishman, and he has made just 16 appearances in all competitions. Prior to the clash with Leeds on Wednesday, Sancho's last outing came against Chelsea in October of last year. Having scored just four goals all campaign, this season has not gone the way the 22-year-old wanted it to, but he showed in midweek that he was determined to still make something of it.
During his time away from United, Sancho travelled to the Netherlands to work on an individual training programme with coaches recommended to him by Ten Hag. It is unclear what exactly the player did during his break, however, his cameo against managerless Leeds gave an indication that he was looking to be more positive in everything that he did.
Sancho replaced Wout Weghorst, with the Dutchman having endured a difficult night. As a result, Rashford moved into a central role, with his England teammate operating from the left. The decision to start Rashford on the right flank didn't pay off, but he did show that he could still deliver as a striker.
For Sancho, meanwhile, he was able to return and play on his preferred wing. He has played on both flanks during his time with the Reds, but he definitely looks more comfortable on the left. The problem is, though, Rashford also likes to play to the left. Given the form that Rashford is in, it would be a bold call to change that.
However, with Weghorst having struggled to adapt to United's style of play, Ten Hag could potentially be tempted to start Rashford up front. Should he play alongside Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho, for example, it would be a fluid attacking trio and one that would worry Leeds.
After coming off the bench on Wednesday, it was clear that Sancho had the beating on Leeds right-back Luke Ayling. The veteran defender was scared to get close to Sancho, and when he did, the 22-year-old skipped past him with ease. There was a moment in the second period when Sancho received the ball from Lisandro Martinez just past the halfway line. It took the Reds winger a matter of seconds to get up the pitch and beat Ayling in the process.
Ayling, in an attempt to get close to Sancho, made the worst possible mistake. He allowed the United man the space he needed to break forward and deliver a cross. His delivery was inch-perfect, and Fred should certainly have done better - especially given the time and space he had inside the penalty area.
When Leeds' defenders attempted to hold back and force Sancho into making a decision, he often found the correct pass, whether that be a through-ball to Rashford or a five-yard lay-off for Bruno Fernandes. After a period of time away from the team, it was pleasing for everyone associated with United that Sancho had made an attempt to improve his decision-making.
It is unlikely that Ten Hag will drop Weghorst when United travel to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, and it would certainly be risky to move Rashford up front. However, with United having struggled to break Leeds down for large periods on Wednesday night, it could potentially be worth trying something different. Moreover, given how frightened Ayling looked when defending against Sancho, there could be a suggestion to make hay while the sun shines.
While that one moment up against the Leeds man didn't define Sancho's return to first-team action, it showed that Ten Hag has more than one option to get the best out of the determined attacker in the second half of the campaign.
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