Man Utd Fans Confused as ten Hag s Statement Contradicts Transfer Exit Reports

Just hours before Jadon Sancho was moved to Chelsea, Erik ten Hag thought the winger would stay at Manchester United, despite the general expectation that he would depart this summer.

Jadon Sancho and Manchester United learnt on Deadline Day that the transfer market moves swiftly.

Unexpected moves happen and become closer to the point where a deal sheet needs to clear, like the one between Raheem Sterling and Arsenal. Even for players who were expected to depart at the beginning of the summer season, things can change drastically in the last hours of the market.

It is probably extremely rare for a manager to advise a player to remain with the squad when they have fewer than ten hours left before departing for a rival side in the division. The loan of Jadon Sancho to Chelsea took place on Friday.

In his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said he did not think Sancho would be leaving this weekend’s play against Liverpool. He answered, “As far as I know, I expect him to stay, yeah.”

The Dutchman even appeared to believe that Sancho will be required for the next campaign. Ten Hag said, “He is a player in our squad and we are happy with him.”

“We need a roster that is deep and has strength on it. We have a lot of games to play [with] the new European format through January. After the break, we will play every third day, so we need options.

But later on Friday, Sancho departed to join Chelsea. Sancho and Ten Hag had a public falling out, and the second half of the previous season was spent on loan at Borussia Dortmund. He arrives at Stamford Bridge on a loan deal that, for a maximum of £25 million next summer, could be extended to a permanent post. The 24-year-old joins the group he previously supported.

The England international was one of nine players who left Old Trafford this summer as United reorganised their roster under the guidance of Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox. Scott McTominay completed a move on deadline day as well, joining Serie A outfit Napoli.

The Manchester United boss was devastated by the Scotland international’s defeat, but he also accepted that it was the right choice for his team. “I’m very happy for him, but it’s a little mixed,” Ten Hag said.

I wouldn’t want to lose him even though we have an excellent contract with him because he is Manchester United in every aspect. He was essential to both our team and Manchester United, but alas, it is just the way things operate.

“We need to talk about the rules; selling when you have to is obviously not the right thing to do when homegrown and academy players bring more value.”