Jason Wilcox stance on Jadon Sancho could force Erik ten Hag into Manchester United decision

Erik ten Hag could be in for an awkward reunion with Jadon Sancho if Jason Wilcox joins Manchester United.

The Southampton chief has recently emerged as a target for the Reds, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe eager to appoint a director of football at Old Trafford. The Manchester Evening News understands that United have approached the Saints about Wilcox.

It's said that the Reds have offered the Championship club the equivalent of a full year's salary as compensation, even though the 53-year-old only arrived at St Mary's in the summer. For now, it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe can wrap up a deal for Wilcox, but it's clear why the British billionaire has been so keen to secure his signature.

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The Southampton director enjoyed 10 fruitful years at Manchester City and first made a name for himself as the club's under-18s manager in 2013. Three years later, he was promoted to head of academy coaching before becoming academy director in 2017, a position he remained in until January 2023.

Over the years, Wilcox has worked with some brilliant young players who have gone on to become senior internationals. One of those players was Jadon Sancho, who is set to return to United in the summer following the expiration of his loan at Borussia Dortmund.

When Sancho was just 15, he scored twice inside five minutes on his youth-team debut for Manchester City; his coach at the time was Wilcox, who was full of praise for the youngster after the game.

"For a young kid playing his first Under-18s football match, I thought he was