Sancho is building momentum on Tour 2023

The England international entertained our fans in New Jersey and displayed tremendous pace when breaking free to score a fine goal late in the first half. 

It was Sancho’s third start of the summer following previous outings against Leeds United and Lyon, and the forward has particularly caught the eye when playing in the ‘false nine’ position.

During a press conference in San Diego, to preview our matches against Wrexham and Real Madrid, the manager said he is pleased with Jadon's output right now.

“He is doing well, also in that role,” said Erik to the media. “I think Jadon is the best in positions in central positions where he can get involvements and also when he played in wide areas. 

“But, you know, when you're playing with me in the wide areas, in the right setting, you also have the freedom in the right setting.

“So it can be right to be inside in [number] 10 positions, in central positions, but also when you are in such positions you have to make runs behind because that is very important to our way of play, that we have many players who run in behind.”

The squad’s ability to score goals became a theme of the press conference and Ten Hag spoke confidently about Marcus Rashford replicating his excellent form from 2022/23. 

“When his attitude is right, then he will do that,” said Erik. “It's not easy and the team has to play well to put him in the right position. And when the team is playing well - so we'll say when we keep the rules and principles in our way of playing, and the resulting attitude is right and he puts himself in the right position - he will finish because he has great abilities when he's in the box, he's clinical and he's ruthless. And he scores goals with right, with left and with his head.”

The manager did accept the squad must contribute more goals and it is a particular area of focus going forward. 

“Yeah, so we're under-performing and we are aware of it,” said Ten Hag.

“And so others also have to contribute in that area, but therefore also we are looking for scoring abilities. And I think with Mason Mount already we have a player extra who is capable of not only scoring goals but also to create and to place Rashford in the positions so we can score more goals. But there's a whole team where we have to score more.”

Watch United v Wrexham live on MUTV at 03:30 BST on Wednesday.