Erik ten Hag hints at surprise Man United striker selection for Man City showdown

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has suggested that Jadon Sancho could start as his number nine in next weekend’s Community Shield showdown against former club Manchester City.

Only a couple of months ago, the 24-year-old’s relationship with Ten Hag appeared irreparable after their September fallout. A permanent move away from Old Trafford seemed inevitable. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the pair reconciled, and Sancho was welcomed back into the squad following a successful loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.

The English attacker has since played a key role for the Red Devils in pre-season and once again started at the tip of Ten Hag’s attack in Saturday’s clash with Liverpool, which Manchester United lost 3-0.

Sancho has benefitted from the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, who will be sidelined until mid-September due to a hamstring injury, while new signing Joshua Zirkzee is yet to make his debut due to his involvement in the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 campaign.

Ten Hag Names Four Striker Options for Community Shield

Zirkzee is now training with his new club, but speaking to the media after Saturday’s loss to Liverpool, Ten Hag suggested he would not rush the Dutchman into the first XI at Wembley.

Instead, the manager hinted that Sancho might be retained in the number nine position, although he also mentioned Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford as alternative options up front.

When asked if Sancho could continue as the target man, Ten Hag replied: “Yes, otherwise we wouldn’t play with him there,” as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

“That is what we can do if we don’t have the availability of Rasmus. But of course, Joshua Zirkzee, he is coming in, he has started training, but also consider that he is not so long in training, so that will take time, and he has to adapt to English football and our way of playing as well.

“But there is also, of course, Jadon, as a striker. We know he can play in wide areas, but also as a false striker, he’s an option. I think that Marcus has done it before and he can do it, and it’s definitely an option.

“But I think he is most productive from the left, starting wide and coming inside. So when he can arrive there, he is most effective. But we have other options. We have Bruno Fernandes who can play as a striker as well.”

How Did Sancho Perform Against Liverpool?

Sancho was on the field for 73 minutes against Liverpool before making way for Sam Mather, although he struggled to make much of an impact in the final third, only firing one shot off target.

The England international was marginally more effective in a playmaking sense, creating two chances and misplacing just one of his 23 passes, but Manchester United’s finishing let them down all afternoon.

Ten Hag also provided a fitness update on four players following the heavy defeat to Arne Slot’s side, where defensive concerns piled up for the Red Devils, who are already without new signing Leny Yoro for three months due to a metatarsal fracture.

However, upcoming Community Shield foes Manchester City have also been handed a new concern over a key man before the August 10 reunion at Wembley.