Jadon Sancho’s return to Manchester United 10 months after his falling out with Erik ten Hag was unexpected.
The 24-year-old had originally been exiled in September by Erik ten Hag after the pair fell out over training disagreements.
Jadon Sancho was then sent to train with the youth squads until January when he headed out on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
This summer, he looked nailed on to be sold with little chance of a return to Carrington, but against all the odds Friday saw him back in training.
Fans have responded to Sancho’s return well, but in the squad, there will be both winners and losers from his return to Manchester United.
Three winners of Jadon Sancho returning to the first team at United
While we’re sure a lot of the squad are happy to have Sancho back, there are three in particular who will benefit from his return.
Marcus Rashford
Name number one on the winner’s list is none other than Marcus Rashford who will be overjoyed to have Sancho back considering the relationship the pair have.
Rashford is coming off a torrid season for United and with a smile back on his face, perhaps that’ll help him find some form.
- READ MORE: Who is Marcus Rashford? Inside the life of Man Utd’s book-writing, government-tackling ace
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho might not be an obvious winner in this scenario, but he absolutely is. Last season, the Argentine winger was overused due to a lack of options and injuries.
So Sancho being an option – assuming he is playing well – could allow Garnacho to be rotated a little more and save him from burning out.
Garnacho is past having to worry about his status being changed as he is arguably one of the first three names on the team sheet, but rotation would help him.
Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee hasn’t been officially announced as a United player just yet, but we all know it’s coming. Zirkzee as a player thrives off players like Sancho to link up with him.
They are probably equally as beneficial to each other, and in the Europa League, they could end up starting together which is an exciting thought – all assuming Sancho finds form and works hard.
Three losers of Sancho’s return
On the flip side of the coin, some players will end up harmed by Sancho’s return to the squad.
Antony
One part of Sancho’s frustration was that Antony would always play ahead of him no matter how bad he was, yet now it’s a different situation at the club.
Antony is down the pecking order and if Sancho actually knuckles down and begins to impress, he could soon find himself pushing the Brazilian toward the exit door.
Amad Diallo
You have to feel for Amad Diallo. The Ivorian finally began impressing for the United first team and now he has more competition to battle against.
Amad showed his class toward the back end of last season and will be hoping that is enough to keep him ahead in the pecking order – although Sancho will likely be rock bottom to begin.
Facundo Pellistri
Probably the biggest loser on the list is Facundo Pellistri, if he wasn’t set to leave already, he absolutely will be sold now with no space for him in the squad.
Pellistri will have no shortage of suitors after impressing at Copa America, but there’s practically no chance he stays at this point with Sancho’s return all but guaranteeing it.
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