Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag said that Jadon Sancho demonstrated that he is "a very good player" with his performance for Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.
The Englishman returned to Dortmund on loan in January after a breakdown in his relationship with Ten Hag.
Sancho starred in BVB's 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in Germany, showing signs of the performance level that convinced Man United to sign him in 2021.
There remains huge speculation surrounding the future of the 24-year-old, with Dortmund believed to be keen to re-sign him on a permanent basis this summer, but a return to the Man United first team for the 2024-25 campaign, potentially under a new manager, has not been ruled out.
Ten Hag was asked about Sancho's performance when he spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon to preview Monday's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
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Erik ten Hag full of praise for Jadon Sancho
"So let's say this: yesterday he played very good and he's a very good player, yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed he represents a high value for Manchester United," Ten Hag told reporters.
"Which is good. I'm happy for Jadon, for the performance yesterday and we'll see what is going to happen in the future."
Sancho was a substitute for Man United's first three matches of the 2023-24 Premier League season before being left out entirely against Arsenal at the start of September.
Ten Hag claimed that poor performances in training had seen the ex-Manchester City youngster removed from the squad, but Sancho insisted that was not the case, claiming that he had been made "a scapegoat".
Having refused to apologise for effectively branding his manager a liar, the attacker was removed from the first-team picture at the club and rejoined Dortmund on loan during the January transfer window.
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Jadon Sancho comments on Man United future after BVB clash
After his starring role in Dortmund's win over PSG, Sancho was asked about his future and remained coy over a potential return to Man United at the end of the season.
There is no option for BVB to purchase Sancho this summer, with a deal needing to be struck between the two clubs if he is to secure a permanent switch back to the Bundesliga team.
It is difficult to imagine the attacker representing Man United again while Ten Hag is in charge due to the strained relationship between the two individuals.
However, if the Dutchman loses his job as head coach this summer, a return for Sancho could be a serious possibility.
Since making the move back to Signal Iduna Park in January, the forward has contributed three goals and two assists in 17 appearances in all competitions.
Matt Law
