Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag may have dropped a major hint about the future of Jadon Sancho before the Red Devils' 1-0 win over Fulham on Friday night.
The 20-time English champions had the honour of kicking off the 2024-25 Premier League season against the Cottagers, who had their fair share of bright moments in the Red Devils' attacking third.
Ten Hag's men got forward well on several occasions, but it appeared that profligacy would force both sides to accept a point, until debutant Joshua Zirkzee popped up with a late winner.
The Dutchman combined well with Alejandro Garnacho, who subsequently wasted a magnificent chance to put his side two goals to the good right at the death, as Ten Hag's inspired substitutes helped their side put their first three points on the board.
However, there was no place in the starting XI or on the bench for Sancho, who was overlooked for the likes of Garnacho, Antony, Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford on Friday night.
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Sancho absent despite Ten Hag reconciliation
The former Borussia Dortmund starlet had been exiled from Man United squad for almost a year on account of his public falling out with Ten Hag, but the pair unexpectedly buried the hatchet earlier this summer.
Sancho was a prominent figure in Man United's pre-season tour of the USA, often playing through the middle in the absence of Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, who faces weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Ten Hag subsequently confirmed that Sancho could start the season at centre-forward, but he only came off the bench for the dying embers of the Community Shield loss to Manchester City, where his penalty was kept out by Ederson.
Despite Hojlund watching on from the sidelines and Zirkzee only fit enough for the bench on Friday, Ten Hag sided with Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount as his central threats, suggesting that Sancho's Old Trafford career may be over after all.
The 24-year-old has managed just 12 goals and six assists in 83 appearances for the Red Devils in all tournaments, and he is now in the last two years of his contract, which does include a 12-month extension option.
Where could Sancho end up before the window shuts?
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After a semi-successful loan return to Borussia Dortmund last year, Sancho was tipped to head back to the Signal Iduna Park on a permanent deal, but such a move never materialised.
Talk of a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain is also set to quieten down, as the French champions are believed to be on the cusp of signing Rennes attacker Desire Doue instead.
With the Dortmund and PSG avenues closed off, Sancho could supposedly be the subject of a shock approach from Man United's Premier League rivals Chelsea, who are apparently willing to take him on loan or sign him permanently.
The Blues could reportedly even throw in two unnamed players as part of the bargain, although they will only make a move if one of their current wingers leaves, having already added Pedro Neto to their ranks this summer.
Ben Knapton
