Unanswered questions over Sancho squad return

Samuel Luckhurst says Ten Hag will face meda inquiry as to why Sancho appears to be back in his squad

- Samuel Luckhurst

THERE is a new chief communications officer at United but the club still has a tendency to pick dubious times to bury good or bad news.

A club staff member leaked news that Erik ten Hag would be staying at gone 10pm on a Tuesday night. Jadon Sancho's unexpected return to training was announced at 5.30pm on Friday.

Sancho was pictured in training on Thursday yet United waited until the graveyard slot to press publish. Workplace attentiveness is at a weekly low on Friday and afternoons and evenings and it is the absolute trough for the news cycle.

The Thursday return date would have been very deliberate. The morning after England reached the European Championship final and no photographers lurking at the Carrington security barriers. When Sancho returned after his public outburst in September, he attempted to conceal his face.

Club sources say Sancho reflected on past issues in his meeting with Ten Hag, the pair agreed to draw a line and move on. United's focus is for Sancho to take a full part in pre-season.

United refused to, or could not say, if Sancho had apologised to Ten Hag for accusing him of lying. Or whether he would be kept or sold.