Jadon Sancho was missing from Manchester United’s squad for the Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday evening. A sign that the 24-year-old is about to leave again? Erik ten Hag had a different explanation
Manchester United’s first point game against Fulham FC on Friday evening was far from brilliant. Ex-Bayer Joshua Zirkzee ultimately saved the Red Devils at their own stadium with the winning goal shortly before the end. Whether Jadon Sancho would have contributed to a clearer result is a matter of speculation. Before the game, head coach Erik ten Hag had publicly considered playing Sancho on the wing or in the center of the attack.
In fact, the London-born striker played neither on the wing nor in the center. He wasn’t even part of the squad, which was surprising given his role during the summer preparations, his substitution a week ago in the Community Shield against Manchester City and ten Hag’s announcement – and of course fueled the rumor mill.
Most recently, the long-rumored interest from Paris Saint-Germain (who also struggled for a long time in the first game in Le Havre on Friday evening despite a much clearer result) is said to have flared up again, with the player and the French champions even holding talks. According to French media, Sancho then also declared his willingness to join PSG. However, the imminent transfer of Desiré Doué – who was also a top priority at FC Bayern – may have changed things
Speculation and Sancho criticism on social media
So what happens next? Ten Hag, who had declared the old differences resolved after Sancho’s loan to BVB, at least gave an explanation after the Fulham game: Sancho had contracted an ear infection during the week. In principle, he was in the squad and could even play, but he ultimately had to make a decision and could only nominate 20 players for his team. In the end, “survival of the fittest”. Despite this, speculation on social media skyrocketed, partly due to a tweet posted by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who interpreted Sancho’s non-nomination as a sign that he would soon be leaving.
However, Sancho himself was also criticized. Some fans resent the fact that he still hasn’t said a single word about United on his public channels, even weeks after his return. Instead, the profile photos on X and Instagram still show him in the Dortmund jersey