Sancho could start season as striker: Erik Ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has revealed that Sancho could start the season as their main striker. The England forward could fill in for  Rasmus Hojlund, who got injured in the preseason match against Arsenal. The Dane has been ruled out for six weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Jadon Sancho played for the Red Devils for the first time since last August in a pre-season friendly against Rangers and also played against Real Betis and Liverpool. 

The youngster played for his former club Borussia Dortmund on loan in the last season and played a key role in taking the German club to the Champions League final. 

“Yes, otherwise we wouldn’t play with him there,” said Ten Hag when asked whether Sancho could start up front against City at Wembley.

“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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, United also has the option of playing Marcus Rashford in the centre-forward position but Ten Hag indicated he will play at his usual position on the left flank.

“I think that Marcus has done it [played as a striker] before and he can do it, and it’s definitely an option,” said Ten Hag.

“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. We have other options. We have Bruno Fernandes who can play as a striker as well.”

Manchester United will take on derby rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup Community Shield final on August 10.