Erik ten Hag brought on Jadon Sancho for Manchester United at half-time against Leicester City to exploit space
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that he brought on Jadon Sancho at half-time against Leicester City to exploit the space in the middle of the park.
The Red Devils took on the Foxes on Sunday (19 February) at Old Trafford. We started the match with Marcus Rashford up top. The 25-year-old broke the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes to hand the Manchester-based club the lead.
However, overall, the King Power Stadium side dominated the proceedings for most of the first half. Wout Weghorst was playing in the number 10 position with Bruno Fernandes on the right and Alejandro Garnacho on the left.
Erik ten Hag’s United summed up in 45 seconds 🎥👇#MUFC || #MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/iRWSZo5JnU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 19, 2023
But the gaffer made a tactical switch at the break and brought on the former Borussia Dortmund star for the Argentine youngster. Subsequently, Rashford moved to the left and got his brace in the second half, with Weghorst up top.
Sancho played in the playmaking role. The 22-year-old’s arrival saw United dominate the proceedings. Subsequently, the England international got the Red Devils’ third, with Fernandes and him linking up.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News after the 3-0 victory, Ten Hag was happy with the team’s display after the break. The former Dortmund star’s involvement was key for the gaffer.
“Second half, we play like the principles and the rules of the game from us. And with Jadon on the pitch, there was a lot of space in the midfield area to bring him there to get players playing between the lines, get more dynamics, it worked really well, him and Bruno on that side.”
Sancho has had a torrid few months at the Old Trafford side. The 22-year-old was unavailable for a considerable period before making his return against Nottingham Forest in the second leg of the semi-final in the Carabao Cup.
The English national has been deployed in the number 10 role often since his return. In the middle of the park, the forward has thrived. Also, Fernandes has looked lively on the right as well.
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It seems Ten Hag has found another system at the Old Trafford side. Considering the second-half performance against Leicester, will the gaffer opt for the same team from the start against Barcelona next? Only time will tell.
