Jadon Sancho has admitted Manchester United's players owe their fans after letting them down last season.
Sancho endured a difficult first season following his £75million move from Borussia Dortmund, as United finished sixth in the Premier League. But the England winger feels rejuvenated under new United boss Erik ten Hag and has admitted he and his team-mates have a point to prove ahead of the new campaign.
“Last year wasn’t great and I feel like everyone has something to prove for this upcoming season,” said Sancho. “We don’t want to put performances in like we did last year and upset the fans. Some fans travelled for a long time to get to the stadium and watch us not perform.
“I’m sure, this year, everyone is going to make up for that and make sure every game we play we put 100 per cent in and make sure the fans are smiling at the end of the game.” Sancho scored three times in four games on United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, and is relishing the chance to start afresh and show his best form under ten Hag.
"It’s my second year now, settling into the team, knowing how players play and I’m excited for the upcoming season, with a new manager and how he wants us to play,” said Sancho. “I think it will be good for myself. The training, especially in pre-season, has been a real positive and all the lads have taken on board what he’s saying.
“You can see it in the games, we’re creating a lot more chances, keeping the ball more and just making good things out of the style we’re playing. This is my first pre-season with United because, last year, I had an infection in my ear, so I couldn’t do the whole pre-season with the team which was a bit annoying at the time.
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“It meant a lack of fitness and understanding of how the players play. But now, this season, I feel a lot more comfortable and, especially scoring in pre-season, it is a confidence boost for myself and, hopefully, I can take that into the season and keep it going.
"This pre-season, we have the same players, but it just looks like a whole different team and I do think that’s something we’re working on and I feel like we’re getting better.
“The manager is big on team-bonding and having fun together and doing things like team dinners and things like that. So, yeah, it’s helping."
