Man Utd have been given a boost with Jadon Sancho resuming training with the club. The England international has been out of action since October with Erik ten Hag sending the forward to work on his mental and physical state.
Jadon Sancho was sent to Holland to facilitate his recovery procedure during the World Cup break.
Erik Ten Hag has made it clear that the 22-year-old will need to rediscover his form if he’s to have any chance of breaking into the United starting lineup or even acquiring his much-craved No 7 shirt at the end of the season.
United fell short to two humbling opening Premier League campaign defeats, against Brighton and Brentford, with Ten Hag cutting a frustrated figure during those two showdowns.
Since then, the Red Devils have moved from strength to strength, with huge victories against top sides in England’s premier division.
Sancho was notably impressive in United’s win over Liverpool and Leicester City, scoring a goal each in both games.
Sancho was captured in training on Thursday with the rest of United’s squad and is now set for a return to action against Arsenal on Sunday.
It’s now left for the former Dortmund ace to perform if he’s to have any chance of acquiring the No 7 shirt – which is currently vacant in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
Back in the summer of 2020, Sancho had been promised the jersey by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – who had identified the former Manchester City star as his main target.
United informed the player they were reserving the jersey, which had previously been donned by the disastrous Alexis Sanchez.
Yet Borussia Dortmund priced Sancho out of a move and, in the end, he had to wait a year before getting his dream transfer to Old Trafford.
By that time, however, United had given the number to Edinson Cavani. And when Sancho touched down, he found the Uruguay international in no mood to give it up.
The No 7 carries a great weight at United, having been worn by club icons such as Ronaldo, David Beckham, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and George Best over the years.
Sancho had to settle for the No 25 number with Cavani’s refusal to give up the No 7.
Cavani however went ahead to surrender the No 7 upon Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, while Sancho continued to adorn the No 25.
According to Old Trafford insiders, the 22-year-old is now keen on claiming the much-craved jersey number upon his imminent return to action.
Bearing in mind the managers huge demands of him, Sancho will definitely have to rediscover his form to get the coveted No 7 jersey.
According to insiders also, Sancho has never really felt comfortable with the No 25 on his back. If he can get back to his devastating Dortmund best, Ten Hag is guaranteed to hand him the No 7.