JADON SANCHO COULD make his first appearance in 14 weeks when Manchester United host Reading in the FA Cup.
Last month United manager Erik ten Hag said the winger was “not in the right status or fitness state” having done an individual fitness programme in the Netherlands rather than travel to the squad’s winter camp to Spain.
Ten Hag said patience was paramount with Sancho, who resumed group training last Tuesday having returned to Carrington earlier in January and could be involved against Reading this weekend.
“He is training with the team and we will see,” the United boss said of the 22-year-old, who last played in October’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
“So, he’s improving, he’s making steps and we will make the decision after training.”
Pushed on whether Sancho could feature in Saturday’s fourth-round tie against Reading, Ten Hag replied: “I said he’s on the way back, he’s making steps.
“He’s back in team training and now we have to see when he’s ready to go back into the games.”
Sancho’s return, whenever it comes, will be a boost to United as they continue to fight on all four fronts and fight through a relentless run of fixtures.
That period is almost certain to include a trip to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final, having won Wednesday’s semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest 3-0.
That result means United can rest some key players in next week’s return fixture, while the Dutchman will be tempted to rotate against Championship side Reading on Saturday night given they are heavy favourites.
“But that’s on paper,” Ten Hag said of facing Paul Ince’s Royals. “Football is never decided on paper, we have to be ready for every game, every opponent will be tough and especially in the cup.
“That is, for them, a perfect chance. We have to be aware of that. We have to be on the front foot, fully focused and full of energy.
“I think tomorrow we will have a strong selection for this game. We have a good squad, we have depth in the squad.”
Ten Hag is looking to balance the need for strength in depth with the need for young players to develop on loan elsewhere.
Anthony Elanga, Facundo Pellistri and Zidane Iqbal are among those to have been linked with temporary exits, as has 22-year-old Brandon Williams.
“We have our ideas,” Ten Hag said of potential outgoings. “For some players, we are open for loans but some players we are not.
“I think they have to develop first in our environment and we have many games to cover, so we need also players to cover that.
“When you play in 30 days 10 games you need a lot of players.
“The way we put on Pellistri (as a substitute against Forest) that is already a signal (about his future).”
On United full-back Williams, who saw last season’s loan at Norwich prematurely ended by injury, boss Ten Hag said: “I think that counts for Zidane, definitely also for Brandon.
“He had a bad injury, he’s on the way back. He was in pre-season for the restart.
“Now he is in the squad, he was in the selection in Forest, so he is really a part of it. It’s also a little bit up to him.
“I like him, but we have to work with him and see where his development can go.
“Then it’s also about him to find the moment where he can deserve his chance and to take this chance.
“But when he wants a loan, we have to talk about that.”
United have loaned 19-year-old midfielder Charlie Savage, son of former Wales international Robbie, to League One side Forest Green for the rest of the season.
3 times utd have bought a player from dortmund based on amazing stats in the German league for big money and 3 times they have had their pants pulled down. German league is poor and iv never once see sancho complete or play well for 90 mins for England. So far a disastrous buy. Honestly think Antony has massive improvements to make too
United should just stay away from buying expensive wingers. They have no luck with them. Di Maria, Sancho and now Antony. All flops.
@Eoin McCarthy: Really? Antony 19 games played and he’s a flop already?! I’d give sancho a bit of time clearly the lad has other issues off the pitch.. They are all not like that other rat.
@Eoin McCarthy: sancho and antony are flops? Jeez, modern football fans really have zero patience.
@Brian Dunne: Based on outlay, Sancho has definitely been a flop. Kidding about Antony at this stage but he’s hardly set the world alight. Ajax got a great deal there. Martinez and Malacia have been far better value for ye.
@Brian Dunne: sancho at this poin in time is 100% a flop. How can u say he’s not? Has he even completed a 90 mins for utd yet? Antony while not a flop is struggling to live up to price tag. Time will tell wit him but yes sancho has been a flop and even the blindest utd fan should c that
@Martin Glynn: nah…they won’t see that… can’t take any criticism of their players…no problem saying the likes of Jones, Ox & even Keita are flops and need to go but you know Utd fans…couldn’t even admit they’ve been rubbish since Fergie left!
@Damien Leen: mornin damo!
@Damien Leen: Obsessed
@Brian Dunne: ah…it’s Brian/Pauly..
The man with no brain! How the hell are ya…actually don’t bother I don’t care. TTFN!
@Tyrone Smith: correct…well done you!
@Damien Leen: your up and at em early today damo. Suppose your counting the minutes till 8 o clock and you can put on your utd pjs and watch the match.
@Damien Leen: here get down of that pedestal they are all flops? Massive flops. Equally as bad as sancho. Liverpool blind too. Talking about being the greatest premiership team of all time and have same premier league titles as Blackburn and Leicester. Pool laughed at utd for celebrating domestic cups and last season nearly blew the bag over them when in reality they missed out on the 2 that count.