Jadon Sancho faces an uncertain future at Manchester United and Erik ten Hag's comments after the Premier League opener win against Fulham has convinced fans the attacker's time at Old Trafford could be soon over.
The new top flight season began last night with United hosting the Cottagers at Old Trafford, as the Red Devils began their third season under Ten Hag's management.
Substitute Joshua Zirkzee, a summer acquisition from Italian side Bologna, came off the bench to net what proved to be a late winner to open his goalscoring account for United on his debut and put his new team at the top of the table, ahead of the rest of the weekend's action.
One player who was absent from the 20-man matchday squad was Sancho, who returned to United over the summer after a loan spell back at former club Borussia Dortmund in the second half of last season, falling a fall-out with Ten Hag's over the player's omission from the squad which lost to Arsenal away in a Premier League encounter last season.
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Uncertainty surrounds Sancho's long-term Old Trafford future, who has a contract at United until the summer of 2026, and there is the prospect he may depart the club this summer on a permanent basis.
Sancho played for United in last weekend's Community Shield loss to Manchester City, and missed a penalty in the shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw at Wembley.
Speaking after last night's victory, Ten Hag confirmed Sancho was not involved after he picked up an ear infection, and though there was the potential he could have been involved, the United boss decided against it.
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He said: "First of all we need squad depth, this season will be survival of the fittest, I can only put 20 players in the squad.
"Then Jadon in the week had an ear infection, he was not 100 per cent fit. He could play but we made the choice, we preferred [to have] others on the bench. But that can change. It will change.
"We can't play everyone the same, you see today how important the subs are. Sometimes frustrating for the player, but it's about team, club, there will be more players in this position, we expect them to fight for the club."
And taking to social media platform X, some United fans believe Sancho's time as a United player will soon be concluding, following Ten Hag's post-match comments.
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One said: "It’s over for Sancho at Man United.
Another wrote: "Why do I have a feeling sancho will leave.
One fan posted: "Polite way to say we want him to leave the club.
While another said: "Someone please come and buy Sancho I have had enough of this drama.
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And another fan posted: "I think he’s out ngl..."
Topics: Fan Reactions, Manchester United, Jadon Sancho, Erik Ten Hag, Fulham, Transfer News, Transfers