Jadon Sancho has been left out of Manchester United’s squad for their opening Premier League game against Fulham.
The decision comes despite coach Erik ten Hag indicating he had resolved his previous issues with the 24-year-old winger, who returned to first-team training in July after a lengthy absence.
Sancho’s return to the team in the Community Shield was his first since Ten Hag sidelined him following the defeat to Arsenal in September 2023.
It is not immediately clear why Sancho has been left out although there have been rumours of an exit this summer, with PSG and Chelsea reportedly interested.
Ten Hag is expected to be asked questions before the match when he conducts his pre-match interview with Sky Sports. If not, he will be asked questions after the match.
?? Jadon Sancho is NOT in Manchester United’s squad tonight.
His future remains open as the final two weeks of the summer transfer window draw to a close, according to reports today. image.twitter.com/SGtk1L3UBE
—Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 16, 2024
On Friday night, instead of Sancho, Antony was chosen to take the winger position on the bench.
Antony was included in United’s pre-season tour but did not start any matches and remained on the bench for the defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield the previous Sunday. Sancho, however, made a brief appearance in that match as a late substitute, although he missed a crucial penalty in the shoot-out.
New signing Noussair Mazraoui makes his United debut, starting in defence, while fellow new defensive signing Matthijs de Ligt starts the game on the bench.
Starting lineups:
- Manchester United lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Onana (GK) – Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Mazraoui – Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount – Amad, Fernandes, Rashford.
- Fulham line-up (4-3-3, right to left): Leno (GK) — Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson — Pereira, Lukic, Smith Rowe — Traoré, Muniz, Iwobi.
