Erik ten Hag warns Jadon Sancho to ‘just deal with it’ after being left out of squad for Man Utd’s season opener

ERIK TEN HAG has warned Jadon Sancho he will just have to ‘deal with it’ after being left out the squad for the opening game of the season.

And that goes for the rest of Manchester United’s players as the manager juggles his team this season.

GettyJadon Sancho has been told by Erik ten Hag to accept his situation[/caption]

Ten Hag is delighted to have more strength in depthGetty

Sancho was left out the squad for the Fulham game with the club citing “illness” although they are actively trying to offload the player.

It looked like he was being reintegrated into the United team after playing as a false nine in the pre-season having made peace with Ten Hag.

But, asked if he will figure in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, the manager was giving nothing away and added a warning to all his players who may find themselves sidelined this season.

Ten Hag said: “We will see. We have a squad, I hope we will have a squad with double positioning and when we go into the season after September 1, that means you can’t select all the players but you need them all throughout the season.

“We have to manage it, the attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed, they have to deal with it, but you win as a squad.

“The prizes are decided next May and until then we need all the players in the squad and highly motivated, that is not an expectation, that is a demand on the squad.”

One player who will definitely be on the starting sheet is Joshua Zirkzee.

And Ten Hag is convinced his dream debut will lead to a goalscoring spree for Manchester United.

Joshua Zirkzee appears sure to start on SaturdayGetty

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The £35.7million striker came on against Fulham to grab the only goal of the game to give his Red Devils career take off.

By contrast last season the then great hope up front Rasmus Hojlund took until Boxing Day to get on the Premier League goalscoring trail with that dramatic late winner against Aston Villa.

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Ten Hag believes things could have been different in the 3-1 home defeat to Brighton if not for a VAR decision early in the season.

He said: “The comparison with last year and Rasmus Hojlund and when he scored against Brighton and the VAR looked and five minutes later came to the conclusion the ball crossed the line in the assist and he had to wait three months for first Premier League goal.”

There was no doubts about Zirkzee’s finish and early involvement in a great move that set up the chance as United got off to the perfect start.

The attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed, they have to deal with it, but you win as a squad.

Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag said: “Very pleasing that a player who is a striker scores his first goal in his first game.

“That will give him the confidence, I‘m very pleased that it’s happened. It gives him confidence and gives us confidence as a team.”

Striker Zirkzee was one of the star signings in a positive transfer window for Ten Hag that also saw the arrival of defenders Mathijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.

Man Utd ratings vs Fulham as new boys shine… but Mount and Amad struggle

DEBUTANT Joshua Zirkzee was the hero for Manchester United in an evening where their new guns showed what they are all about.

The Dutchman had to remain patient for his opportunity but he took it brilliantly once he came on the pitch.

Zirkzee came on for Mason Mount on the hour mark and had been quiet up until his pivotal moment.

Ten Hag will take positives from the display and it was his astute sub which led to the winner as his side got their season off to a flyer.

Here is how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the Red Devils display…

Andre Onana – 6

Made an outstanding early tip over from Kenny Tete and was rarely seriously troubled beyond that.

Noussair Mazraoui – 7

A pretty impressive debut from the Moroccan. Looks assured on the ball, gets forward in support and can put a foot in.

Harry Maguire – 7

Dominant and commanding in defence, but embarrassingly booked for diving at the other end. Really Harry, even you?

Lisandro Martinez – 6

Skinned by Adama Traore early. Showed all his defensive guile in how he handled him after that, and got back superbly to deny a breakaway goal.

Diogo Dalot – 6

Had his hands full dealing with Traore’s pace, but knocked in a couple of wicked curling crosses at the other end.

Casemiro – 7

Headed over then shot over, but two great passes put Fernandes clean through. Often looked United’s most likely source of a goal.

Kobbie Mainoo – 8

So crisp, so tidy, so rarely wastes a pass. Another near-flawless, if not exactly flair-packed, display from the youngster. Fizzed a shot just wide, too.

Mason Mount – 5

So desperate to do well, which earned him an early booking. Only Leno’s legs denied him the goal his effort deserved.

Amad Diallo – 5

Made one marvellous mazy run into the box, although the tumble to ground that followed wasn’t so impressive.

Marcus Rashford – 6

Still nowhere near the star of two years ago, but another step in the right direction at least. Some way to get yet, though.

Bruno Fernandes – 7

Fluffed two great chances, driving at keeper Leno’s legs twice when Casemiro put him through, but sprayed passes around and started the move for the winner.

Subs

Alejandro Garnacho (for Diallo, 60mins) – 6

Put a spark in United when he came off the bench and teed up the winner.

Joshua Zirkzee (for Mount, 60 mins) – 7

The debut he dreamed of. Barely had a touch, but then fed the ball wide and stuck out his left foot to jab the winner.

Matthijs de Ligt – (for Mazraoui, 81 mins) – 5

Was only on for the last ten minutes and looked solid although he did not have too much to do

Jonny Evans (for Maguire, 81 mins) – 5

Scott McTominay (for Mainoo, 84 mins) – 5

Leny Yoro also bolstered the back line with his arrival from Lille only to suffer an injury in his opening game of the US tour against Arsenal.

He is out for another two-and-a-half months.

United have not stopped either and are still working on bringing in midfielder Manuel Ugarte from PSG.

Ten Hag said: “We’re very pleased. It shows we’re going in the right direction, we know as a club we have to catch up but it shows our ambition, the way we want to go, we have done good business, very good players, quality players who will add, contribute to our squad.”

As for more signings?

Ten Hag said: “Be patient, sit, wait. We will keep working very hard, we will always try to make the best squad possible, we have a couple of days and we will always improve, as long as we have the opportunity we will look for it.”