Erik ten Hag said he still has a choice to make over the future of Jadon Sancho.

 

The future of the England international at Old Trafford remains in question despite reconciling with Ten Hag earlier this summer. Sancho was initially banished last season from first-team training following a disagreement with the Dutchman last September. The winger was then sent out on loan to his former club Borussia Dortmund for the second half of last season, where he helped the German side reach the Champions League final.

While Sancho and Ten Hag are said to have made peace after last season's discord, the 24-year-old looked destined for a move away this summer, with United working hard to move the Englishman on.

Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and an unnamed Premier League club are said to be keen on a move. Sancho was omitted from United's squad altogether for their first Premier League match of the new season against Fulham last weekend.

Yet, for United's Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Brighton, Ten Hag confirmed that Sancho had again been left out of his squad—despite being made to travel south—and added that a verdict over his future remains his to make.

"He’s here," Ten Hag told TNT Sports ahead of kickoff. "But I have a choice to make. We had some issues, but we need a full squad. He’s one of them, and he has to compete for his position, and game to game, we will have a look. But in the squad, every position we need double because it’s going to be a long season."

Ten Hag's side were ravaged by injuries last season with much effect on the manager, who has insisted in the run-up to the new season that "survival of the fittest" is his campaign mantra.

Sancho looked to be the first and most high-profile casualty of this new philosophy when he was left out of the squad to face Fulham, albeit Ten Hag later said he had an ear infection and could not play.

United have been busy in the transfer window this summer thus far, but the club remain firm in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte. Talks over a swap deal with PSG concerning Ugarte and Sancho collapsed earlier this summer.

Thus, the permanent sale of Sancho could help raise the necessary funds for United to get a deal over the line. While Juventus look to be in pole position, the Italians are struggling to meet United's £40 million valuation, while matching his salary at Old Trafford would also be an issue.

Asked about the potential for new signings before the end of the window, Ten Hag said: "We will see; we always have to look to get better, but that has to be the right options."