Ahead of his second season with Manchester United, Jadon Sancho has so far enjoyed a fruitful pre-season for the Red Devils.
After having his first pre-season with United derailed this time last year, due to an ear infection that limited his involvement, the 22-year-old has rebounded this year, with two goals, against Premier League rivals Liverpool and Crystal Palace, in three games.
A huge part of this has been the change in management at United, with Erik ten Hag taking the reigns ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
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With the new tactical blueprint that the Dutchman is bringing to Old Trafford, Sancho is looking forward to his first campaign working with the new manager.
“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, and I think it will be good for myself,” Sancho told club media.
He continued, “The training, especially in pre-season, has been a real positive and all the lads have taken on board what he’s saying,
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"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."
After looking lost at times last season, Ten Hag's attention to detail will be a huge help to the 22-year-old, who is already looking likely to thrive in the new system.
“We’ve been having lots of meetings with the manager and understanding how he wants us to play." Sancho added.
"There’s definitely been a big sign of everyone taking that on board and us producing what he wants to happen.
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"You can see in the games, as I said before, with how we’re playing and there being a lot more structure and opportunities to score, and we’re keeping the ball more too and being effective [with it]."
This praise from Sancho towards his new manager will be music to all United fans ears.
After signing from Borussia Dortmund, he struggled in his first year at Old Trafford, with only five goals and three assists from 38 games in all competitions.
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It was well below what many fans expected of him after his £76.5 million transfer from the Bundesliga club.
However, it was also evident that the circumstances were not ideal at the club last season for the winger, who excels with movement and off the ball runs in the final third.
The wide man also detailed the winning mentality that Ten Hag is trying to instil within the squad.
"He’s told all the boys that every friendly is a must-win game.
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"I can already tell from his mindset that he wants us to do well and, when the players hear that from a manager, you all take that in and we all want to give our best, especially out on the pitch. That’s been a real confidence boost."#
Additionally, Sancho praised Ten Hag’s focus on team building and creating a positive atmosphere in the team camp.
It's no secret that the squad was anything but united last term, with leaks of unhappiness or unrest being a weekly feature throughout the season.
"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."
Sancho will look to continue United’s unbeaten start to pre-season, as the Red Devils face Aston Villa in Perth, before concluding their tour in Oslo with a tough test against Atletico Madrid, who knocked the Reds out of the 2021/22 Champions League.
Topics: Jadon Sancho, Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Liverpool, Crystal Palace
Callum Owen