'Deal with it' - Ruthless Erik ten Hag issues Manchester United demand after Jadon Sancho question

Erik ten Hag wants a squad with cover for every position beyond the end of the summer transfer window - and has told his Manchester United players to maintain a positive attitude even if they don't make the matchday squad.

Ten Hag was responding to a question over Jadon Sancho and whether he will return to the squad against Brighton, saying "we will see." But when questioned on the winger, the United boss used it to make a point about the kind of squad attitude required, with memories of the falling out with Sancho over his expulsion for the Arsenal game last September still lingering.

The Dutchman said United are still working hard to bring in new faces before the August 30 deadline and a deal with Paris St-Germain for Manuel Ugarte is edging closer. That will help Ten Hag fulfill his squad depth ambition but will mean disappointment for those players who miss out on the squad, as Sancho did last week against Fulham. Yet Ten Hag has told his squad that they cannot let their heads drop if that is the case.

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“We have a squad and I hope we will have a squad with double positioning and when we go into the season after the first of September, that means also you can’t select all the players for a game, but you need them all throughout the season because this season will be the survival of the fittest," Ten Hag said.

“We have to manage it, but also the attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed, but they have to deal with it. You don’t win with XI, you win with a squad. The prizes are decided next May and until then we need all the