Many of Man Utd’s first-team regulars are away representing their countries but those on the fringes can use the time to impress the manager.
Erik ten Hag has a chance to assess fringe players during the international break. (Image: Getty)
Many of Manchester United’s stars are away on international duty over the next week but the work never stops at Carrington.
Erik ten Hag will be working with a skeleton squad over the next few days, having waved away the majority of his regular starters from Manchester Airport at the start of the week. The Dutchman will have eyes across the various games involving his players, crossing everything that they come through unscathed.
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In that sense, he’ll be happy to see that Rasmus Hojlund won’t be pushed to a full 90 minutes on Denmark duties. Goals from the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay will also be well received.
But while those across the globe look to impress Ten Hag from afar, many of United’s fringe players remain much closer to home. Training over the next few days won’t just be a chance to keep the blood flowing but to make an impression, given there is less competition to stand out.
The most obvious of those wanting to stand out is Jadon Sancho. After last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Arsenal – a game in which Sancho was left out of the squad – Ten Hag called the winger out for his supposed poor performances in training.
Sancho responded with an extraordinary statement claiming he was being made a scapegoat – a social media post still pinned to his X profile – but will want to send a more promising message in training. He and Ten Hag are expected to hold talks, if they haven’t already.
The 23-year-old is still a United player and will be until at least January now the transfer window is closed, and the fact he played the most minutes in pre-season suggests Ten Hag values his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set. With the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri all away, now could be the ideal time to stake a claim.
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Ten Hag’s decision to call out Sancho was even more surprising when cut against his staunch defence of Anthony Martial. The French international has started United’s last two matches upfront and been completely ineffective on both occasions – so much so that Hojlund had more impact in 23 minutes off the bench against Arsenal.
With more minutes under his belt on international duty, one would expect Hojlund returns to club football fit to start. But Ten Hag has been keen not to rush the 20-year-old and will be cautious not to overload him too soon. Martial remains a part of United’s plans for the season, but will need to find some semblance of match sharpness if he is to have any positive effect.
Sergio Reguilon is yet to make a first impression at his new club, having been an unused substitute during last week’s defeat at Arsenal. The 26-year-old was signed on a short-term loan deal after injury to Luke Shaw left Ten Hag short of a senior left-back.
Diogo Dalot was moved across at the Emirates but is away on international duty with Portugal, which should allow Reguilon to prove himself in training ahead of next weekend’s meeting with Brighton. Ten Hag did not sign an experienced left-back to watch on from the bench but the former Tottenham man will still need to prove himself in training this week.
United’s first-team regulars will start to return midway through the week, depending on the date of their final international fixture. But for the next few days Ten Hag will get a chance to assess those on the fringes, and there is no better time to impress the boss.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
