Considering the sheer extent of the injury issues Manchester United faced last season, players capable of thriving in a variety of different roles came in particularly handy.
Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat all had spells filling in at left-back due to the absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
And while some looked distinctly like square pegs shoved awkwardly into very round holes, Dalot and Wan-Bissaka produced some of their finest performances of the campaign on the opposite flank.
Erik ten Hag could also rely on Alejandro Garnacho producing the same verve and creativity regardless of which flank Manchester United’s FA Cup final goalscorer was deployed. Kobbie Mainoo was a revelation as a number six or a number eight.
And should United suffer any injury issues across their attacking department over the coming months, Ten Hag now has at his disposal a talented, technically-gifted and two-footed forward ready and waiting to answer his call.
Jadon Sancho ready to kick on at Manchester United
Jadon Sancho may be a winger by trade but, during Man United’s pre-season tour of the USA, a couple of lively performances as a false nine have created hope for the most unexpected of Old Trafford revivals for their prodigal son.
“Jadon can play across the whole frontline,” Ten Hag tells the Manchester Evening Post during his pre-Man City press confeence. “He’s an option for more than one position.
“It depends how you set up the team. You can look at your own tactics, opponents that fit the best, and Jadon had some abilities you can use in a game.”
Ten Hag has already confirmed that Sancho may be in line to start against former employers Man City in Saturday’s Community Shield. Especially if £35 million summer signing and new number 11 Joshua Zirkzee is only fit enough for the bench.
The ‘very skilful’ Zirkzee was included in Serie A’s Team of the Year last term, thriving as a withdrawn centre-forward capable of bringing his team-mates – such as a career-best Riccardo Orsolini – into the game.
Zirkzee, speaking to The Mirror, describes himself as a ‘nine-and-a-half’. One who combines the talents of a classic number nine and a roving number ten.
Sancho then is unlikely to be first choice in that position – or any position in fact – but it’s a long old season and there will be plenty of opportunities for the England international to stake his claim.
Joshua Zirkzee could start at Wembley vs Man City
Perhaps the most exciting conclusion United can draw from Sancho’s pre-season displays is that his ‘false nine’ role appears to really benefit a revitalised Marcus Rashford and the ‘explosive’ Amad Diallo.
Imagine how effective and free-flowing United can be when Zirkzee is operating as the focal point.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, meanwhile, Ten Hag re-iterated that any differences between he and Sancho are very much water under the bridge.
“We left this behind us and we said everything about this,” said the former Ajax boss, who removed Sancho from first-team contention after a very public dispute back in September 2023. “We know from each other what the standards are and how we want to work.
“When I took over, you need good players to construct a good team and he’s definitely a very good player.”
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