Erik ten Hag is anticipating even better from Jadon Sancho after the ahead’s first goal since September helped Manchester United get well from 2-0 down to draw with Leeds at Old Trafford.
Leeds scored early in both half, first by means of Wilfried Gnonto simply 55 seconds in, then Raphael Varane’s personal goal three minutes into the second interval of the Premier League conflict.
But after Ten Hag despatched on Sancho and Facundo Pellistri simply earlier than the hour to change the form of his assault, it introduced prompt dividends.
First Pellistri performed his function in a transfer completed by Marcus Rashford – shifted to the centre within the reshuffle – earlier than Sancho made it 2-2.
It was Sancho’s first goal for the reason that Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol on September 15, however the 22-year-old has been out of the first-team image since a drop in kind price him the chance of a World Cup place, and solely returned final week for his first look since October.
“I am really happy he is in the right direction,” Ten Hag stated. “I hope he can keep this momentum going and I am sure it will strengthen him and motivate him to do even more.
“As you can see he is a brilliant footballer and if he can invest in the right levels he can be outstanding.
“I think we now have a team that can dictate a game, can play more in the opponent’s half. He likes that, he can play in tight areas, he can make the difference. The second goal shows it.”
After being unnoticed of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Sancho frolicked coaching alone within the Netherlands in December and was then step by step reintegrated after returning to Manchester simply earlier than the flip of the yr.
Ten Hag now hopes any such points are prior to now.
“It is in his own hands and so if he wants, he can do it,” he stated. “This team, it is great to play in, it gives you joy. I really enjoy see him playing the way he did with so much confidence, the way he did with so much belief.”
Sancho’s goal introduced reduction to Old Trafford as United had confronted the prospect of a primary top-flight residence defeat to their previous rivals since 1981.
But these had been nonetheless two factors dropped for Champions League-chasing United as Leeds arrived in Manchester and not using a supervisor following the sacking of Jesse Marsch.
“Mixed feelings,” Ten Hag stated. “If you are 2-0 down, you have to be disappointed…If you start each half the way we did, it is unacceptable.
“You concede two goals, it is really frustrating and unacceptable, but I have to make compliments to the team, the way they are resilient, they fight back, create chances and also finish. We scored two really good goals.”
The two sides will meet once more within the reverse fixture at Elland Road on Sunday, nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not or not caretaker supervisor Michael Skubala will nonetheless be in cost.
Leeds’ managerial search has already taken longer than chair Andrea Radrizzani had indicated.
But for now the common under-21s boss may replicate on a robust displaying at Old Trafford.
“I’m really proud of the players,” he stated. “I thought they did really well.
“In the context, (Man United) haven’t lost in 13 in all competitions (at home). I’m a bit disappointed because I thought we did enough to win the game but it was really good.
“Without giving too much away because we’ve got another game against them on Sunday, (the plan was) not to be passive, to be aggressive, to be free and attack them.
“The most rewarding part is how in the last moments we saw out the game. At the end we had to dig deep and show personality to get the point.”
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