Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could be preparing to unleash Jadon Sancho in a never-seen-before role this season.
The Red Devils have already been hampered by injuries in pre-season this summer, with Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro and Jonny Evans just three players to have sustained knocks so far.
Ten Hag's side were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool on Saturday in their final US outing, with Sancho asked to play in a brand-new position in attack.
With the Community Shield fast approaching, United will be hoping some of their more senior players will be able to get up to speed in time after their own international endeavours this summer.
Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo have still not returned after England's Euro 2024 final heartache, with fellow first-teamers Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot now back at Carrington ahead of the new campaign.
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Ten Hag was asked following the defeat to Liverpool just how he sees his attack shaping up with the encounter against Manchester City now just a week away.
"Yes, otherwise we wouldn't play with him there," Ten Hag said when asked if Sancho was an option as a striker.
"That is what we can do if we don't have the availability of Rasmus.
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"But of course, Joshua Zirkzee, he is coming in, he has started training, but also consider that he is not so long in training, so that will take time, and he has to adapt to English football and our way of playing as well.
"But there is also, of course, Jadon, as a striker.
"We know he can play in wide areas, but also as a false striker, he's an option.
"I think that Marcus has done it before and he can do it, and it's definitely an option.
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"But I think he is most productive from the left, starting wide and coming inside.
"So when he can arrive there, he is most effective.
"But we have other options. We have Bruno Fernandes who can play as a striker as well."
Topics: Jadon Sancho, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag
Matthew Holt