Erik ten Hag paid tribute to Jadon Sancho after the Manchester United star scored on an emotional night at Old Trafford to earn a draw with Leeds.
United trailed by two goals against a Leeds team, led by caretaker boss Michael Skubala, who looked on course to win away at their old rivals in the league for the first time in 42 years.
But Marcus Rashford pulled a goal back for United just after the hour mark before Sancho came on for only his second appearance since taking time out to address his physical and mental health and scored the equaliser.
'He's all the way back,' said Ten Hag. 'I'm proud he did it. I'm backing him, the coaches are backing him, the team is backing but he has to do it by himself.
'It's in his own hands. If he wants, he can do it. I'm really enjoying seeing him playing the way he did with so much confidence and belief.
'We know he's a magnificent player. I think consistently he can have a big impact, but he has to work hard. It will motivate him to get more. I really enjoyed it, especially for him – it will strengthen him.'
United were caught cold at the start of both halves as Wilfried Gnonto struck inside the first minute and Raphael Varane scored an own-goal.
Ten Hag rang the changes by sending on Sancho and Facundo Pellsitri, and playing Rashford through the middle.
'I wanted a different dynamic,' he added. 'In that moment we weren't in the game. Luckily it succeeded because we scored two goals.
'It was a very bad start. Especially in a derby, you have to be ready to battle and take responsibility. We didn't do that.
'If you start each half the way we did, it's unacceptable. I'm disappointed we lost all the battles inside the first minute in each half.
'But I have to compliment the team. They are resilient and they fought back to score two really good goals.'
The two clubs meet again at Elland Road on Sunday, and Skubala was unsure whether he will still be in charge as Leeds continue to seek a permanent replacement for Jesse Marsch.
'I've been really busy just looking after this job for the last few days,' said Skubala. 'That's up to other people to decide but it's a great opportunity for the players and the staff. If I'm called upon then I just want to help the club in the best way I can.
'This is a tough place to get a point and I'm really proud. It's always tricky playing a team back to back so I need to go away and assess.'
mukdiklmn
1
Sancho
hebcknouz
0
congratulations to jadon sancho welcome back you performed and sabitzer played very well because it is a first good time to play I'm happy with his confidence he tried than other old plyers but weghorst maaaaaaaaaa I don't what I can say he is not yet impressed me give Sancho time my coach on place of weghorst
solomontochi2
2
Mark my words, Any player who start slow in EPL always perform well after the struggle and anyone who just starts with flying always flop at the end. the best of Sancho is yet to come.
johannesAndreas
0
Happy to see you smile again 💯💯💯
[image]
he is the legend
Zocairsz
0
Sometimes Ten Hag behaves like pep complicate easy decisions why on earth would you keep playing that ghost as a striker who can’t contribute to the game
So now u know better than him.😀😀ten hag brought a good atmosphere back when no one believed he would and now ya’ll want to act as if u know better than him just chill u know nothing about formations let the guy do his thing
Zocairsz
0
Useless team EPL is over
U are the one who is useless dont ever call my team useless again stupid
cincdmrz
0
Useless team EPL is over
ManUnited-Red
1
He is improving 👏🏽
lazychild226
2
i think today we "lost"the match due to our holding midfield not good enough.. sabitzer just join us n he not used to the way n ten hag tactics yet..so we can see even though we have possession, but we rely alot on varane n martinez to pass forward the ball to shaw or dalot.. if casemiro or sabitzer train longer with us, i think our midfield today wil be much better n we can attack better
Vaaaben
2
Guys, great team spirit shown by players. Weghorst will deliver. Fred was below average & could have been replaced by either Mainoo or Iqbal, but it was a fast pace game & physical too. So probably ETH thought otherwise. Glad to see both Dalot & Pellistri got game time. Happy to see Sancho delivered on time to earn a draw, but thought United drop two points & chance to. level with City, having played one extra game. Proud of the way team fought & statitics shows we were much better team after hiccups in first few minutes of both half. Rashy scored a thunder header & just reminded ETH that he is much better on left or central. In reverse fixture might see the troika of Rashford, Weghorst & Sancho. Would appreciate if Zidane Iqbal get a start in midfield.
Razacdiln
0
please United fans that guy gives us options up front since injury hits us, please stop talking against him
JulianMweemba-Reyes
1
As a Utd fan, I'm really glad to see him on the score sheet. He played with so much confidence and the impact he had coming off the bench. His influence was top notch. all the best for the rest of the season lad....
peterEkele
4
Happy to see you smile again 💯💯💯
cotaeiklry
0
Sometimes Ten Hag behaves like pep complicate easy decisions why on earth would you keep playing that ghost as a striker who can’t contribute to the game
Guy I hate that w wghost of a thing
ClemJay
2
nice to see jadon Sancho performing again
Kiwdeikuz
0
Sometimes Ten Hag behaves like pep complicate easy decisions why on earth would you keep playing that ghost as a striker who can’t contribute to the game
yaueopry
0
yeahh..u better be proud...score against leeds for a draw...at leeds...wait at leeds or old Trafford?