Erik ten Hag hopeful Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho will gain three things from penalty vs Brighton

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is hopeful Jadon Sancho will gain more belief after his FA Cup semi-final penalty conversion.

Sancho levelled the shootout with Brighton at 3-3 after he had his last spotkick saved at the opposite end at Wembley in England's European Championship final defeat to Italy in July 2021.

Ten Hag introduced Sancho late in regulation time against Brighton and the 23-year-old excelled as an impact substitute again, having scored off the bench against Leeds United and Leicester in February.

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Sancho has struggled for form since he returned from a three-month absence when he embarked on a curated training programme and Ten Hag has become impatient with the England international. However, the United manager feels Sancho could be stirred by his emphatic penalty.

"I think also we have seen in the season many times very good performances from Jadon," Ten Hag said, "and I think definitely that moment on Sunday will strengthen him even more, give him more courage, more belief, definitely.

"We all know what happened and I think you have to recognise it and reward it, what he did on Sunday; to step behind the ball. And it was such a good penalty. I was so convinced and the same you can say for (Marcus) Rashy - so convinced.

"They stepped over the tram mark and that is very good, it shows they have character and personality and that can help us.

"There are a lot of questions about bouncing back in the game and it is the same as in a game; show the personality and when things are not going in your direction make sure you turn it around."

United take on sixth-placed Tottenham and fifth-placed Aston Villa this week and two wins would effectively secure