Erik ten Hag suggests Jadon Sancho WILL get game time if he stays at Man United beyond deadline day

Erik ten Hag is preparing for the possibility that Jadon Sancho will remain at Manchester United as talks continue with Juventus just hours before the transfer window closes.

Juve have been leading the chase for Sancho but the player’s £250,000-a-week wages and the Italians’ desire to loan him rather than buy him permanently have been sticking points.

Chelsea have also tried to sign Sancho in a swap deal with Raheem Sterling but the chances of that deal happening seem remote.

It still seems unlikely the 24-year-old will stay at United beyond the deadline given his fragile relationship with Ten Hag and the fact he hasn’t made the squad in the first two Premier League games against Fulham and Brighton.

But the Dutchman insists that an extra player will be useful after the international break as an extended Europa League begins and United play every three days.

Man United manager Erik ten Hag pictured speaking to Sancho during a game in August 2023

Asked if he expects Sancho to stay, Ten Hag said: ‘As I know, yes. He is a player in our squad and we are happy with him. We need a good squad, we need depth. We have to play many games until January. After the break we play every third day so we need options.’

Meanwhile, United are set to announce Manuel Ugarte’s signing from Paris Saint-Germain in a £50million deal to replace Scott McTominay, who is joining Napoli for £30m.

Explaining the move, Ten Hag insisted that he viewed McTominay as a third No 10 alongside Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, and he needed another defensive midfielder.

In addition, the McTominay deal counts as 100 per cent profit under financial fair play rules because he is a homegrown player.

‘To make the change, it is not a comparison that you can compare those players,’ he added. ‘We had three No 10s and we didn’t have any more holding midfield players apart from one so that is the idea.’

Winger Sancho pictured (right) playing for Borussia Dortmund during a loan spell last season

On McTominay leaving his boyhood club, Ten Hag said: ‘I am very happy for him but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him.

‘He is Man United in everything. He was so important for Man United. He was here for over 22 years but unfortunately it is the rules. Homegrown players bring more value and that is not the right thing to do but for everyone. But for all parts, it is a good deal. Scott is happy with it, and Napoli and us.’

Ten Hag also confirmed that Mount is his only fresh injury absentee for Liverpool and offered an update on Rasmus Hojlund’s hamstring problem.

‘[He will be back] after the break but when after the break?’ he added. ‘We have to see how it develops to get him match fit. He returns on the pitch but it will take a while. You need also to build some fitness.’