Ten Hag praises Man United players' resilience after 'unacceptable' start

Erik ten Hag is expecting even better from Jadon Sancho after the forward's first goal since September helped Manchester United recover from 2-0 down to draw with Leeds at Old Trafford.

Leeds scored early in either half, first through Wilfried Gnonto just 55 seconds in, then Raphael Varane’s own goal three minutes into the second period of the Premier League clash.

But after Ten Hag sent on Sancho and Facundo Pellistri just before the hour to change the shape of his attack, it brought instant dividends.

First Pellistri played his role in a move finished by Marcus Rashford – shifted to the centre in the reshuffle – before Sancho made it 2-2.

It was Sancho’s first goal since the Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol on September 15, but the 22-year-old has been out of the first-team picture since a drop in form cost him the opportunity of a World Cup place, and only returned last week for his first appearance since October.

"I am really happy he is in the right direction," Ten Hag said. "I hope he can keep this momentum going and I am sure it will strengthen him and motivate him to do even more.

"As you can see he is a brilliant footballer and if he can invest in the right levels he can be outstanding.

"I think we now have a team that can dictate a game, can play more in the opponent’s half. He likes that, he can play in tight areas, he can make the difference. The second goal shows it."

After being left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Sancho spent time training alone in the Netherlands in December and was then gradually reintegrated after returning to Manchester just before the turn of the year.

Ten Hag now hopes any such issues are in the past.

"It is in his own hands and so if he wants, he can do it," he said. "This