Erik ten Hag has said he is happy for Jadon Sancho after the winger produced a display in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain that showed he “represents a high value” for Manchester United.
Sancho was among Dortmund’s best performers in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory in the semi-final first leg. The 24-year-old joined the German club in January on loan having not played for United since August after a disagreement with Ten Hag regarding why the manager left him out of the squad for the 3-1 loss at Arsenal in early September.
Ten Hag stated it was because Sancho had not trained to standard and Sancho responded with a tweet that disputed this and, in essence, called Ten Hag a liar. Sancho refused to apologise to the manager and so was excluded. Ten Hag was asked for his view of Sancho’s performance versus PSG.
“He played very well and he’s a very good player,” he said. “Yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed he represents a high value for Manchester United, which is good. I’m happy for Jadon, for the performance yesterday and we’ll see what is going to happen in the future.”
Ten Hag was asked about reports that United will listen to offers for almost all of their players in the summer. “It’s a joke,” he said. “As long as I’ve worked, every summer, every window, I think 200 players [were said to be] getting interest from Manchester United – we did some research – which was untrue and also every summer we sell all of the players in our squad, which you make all of the headlines [about] which is untrue.”
“Be calm and take some responsibility when you make such a headline. Find a good source [and report] if there is some truth in it. This is totally crap.”
It is understood that United regard Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund as not for sale at any price, and that Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martínez and André Onana are highly unlikely to be allowed to leave, but that the club will keep an open mind on offers for other players as they seek to strengthen the squad while keeping within profitability and sustainability rules.
United travel to Crystal Palace on Monday evening, with Fernandes an injury doubt. “He will fight to get into this game,” Ten Hag said. “We all know Bruno: never rule him out for any game – he will do his best to be available.
“Scott [McTominay] didn’t train so far this week but I expect him back in training on Saturday and we have to see up to the game if he’s 100% available or for a part of the game.” Ten Hag said Jonny Evans was back in team training and that Anthony Martial had taken some part.
