Jadon Sancho needs to prove three things to Man Utd supporters, Erik ten Hag has a theory on one of them

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Manchester United have welcomed Jadon Sancho back to the first team squad after repairing his relationship with Erik ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho have called a truce, with the winger re-integrated back into the Manchester United squad.

It is unclear whether Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho drawing a line under their past disagreement will last.

The only real time to judge the situation will be if Sancho is still here after the transfer deadline, as this could simply be a move to preserve his market value.

However, if Sancho really is back, then he has plenty to prove. There are three things he must demonstrate to Manchester United supporters…

Jadon Sancho must demonstrate desire

After last season’s events, winning over Erik ten Hag and his new coaching staff is just the start of Jadon Sancho’s re-integration.

Sancho must win over the Manchester United fans, who have major questions over Sancho’s commitment.

Last season Sancho simply needed to apologise to his manager to get his place back in the team, and he refused to do so. Instead he sat on the sidelines for months.

Now he is back, Sancho must work extra hard to demonstrate he is committed to the Manchester United cause.

Whether he gets five minutes or 90, Sancho must accept there will be close scrutiny on his actions, and he must work harder than other players to (a) justify his spot in the team, and (b) show that he genuinely cares.

There are concerns that Sancho is simply staying put at United because the club can’t find a buyer, partly due to his high wages. He must work hard to shake off this impression.

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Jadon Sancho must find his true position

Jadon Sancho struggled at Manchester United playing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, before Erik ten Hag arrived.

Part of this was due to an inability to find his best position on the pitch. Many believe Sancho is better on the left – yet he was bought to play on the right wing.

On the left, Sancho faces competition with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. On the right, Antony and Amad, and possibly Garnacho too, are all in the mix.

An alternative is that Sancho plays in a central role. Erik ten Hag experimented with Sancho’s position last pre-season, utilising him in a role similar to how he deployed Dusan Tadic at Ajax.

Last summer Ten Hag told club media: “He is doing well, also in that role. I think Jadon is the best in positions in central positions.”

Whether there is space for Sancho remains to be seen, with Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, possibly Amad, and now Joshua Zirkzee, there is plenty of competition.

One way or another, if Sancho is to be success at United, he must be more than just a utility attacker. He needs to become first choice.

Jadon Sancho must demonstrate Premier League adaptability

One doubt which has plagued Jadon Sancho’s performances ever since he came to Manchester United, is whether he can be an elite player in the Premier League.

Sancho’s best performances have come in the Bundesliga, and in Champions League matches, where games are a little more technical, and at times, slower. This suits Sancho.

Premier League games are more frenetic, more aggressive, and Sancho has not displayed his best form on a consistent basis.

There have been some standout moments. Sancho has goals against City, Chelsea, and Liverpool, assists against Arsenal, and Tottenham. So he can do it. But there has not been a level of consistency.

Sancho does not take players on in the Premier League in the same way he did against PSG when he set Champions League dribbling records. He has the ability, but does he have the confidence?

United fans want a player who will dig in and do the defensive work too, not one who backs out of challenges. Can Sancho fit the bill?

If Sancho is to succeed at Manchester United in this fresh chance he has seemingly been granted, then he needs to raise his game and demonstrate desire, and consistency, above a level he has shown at Old Trafford to date.