Erik ten Hag explains Jadon Sancho absence against Atletico Madrid

Jadon Sancho has missed out on Manchester United's pre-season friendly with Atletico Madrid due to illness.

The England international was a part of the squad that travelled to Norway for Saturday's contest with Diego Simeone's side, and he was expected to be in the starting team against the La Liga club.

However, the attacker was a notable absentee from the squad that was released an hour before kickoff.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Atletico, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag revealed that Sancho was in line to feature on Saturday but had been unwell overnight, forcing him to miss out.

"Overnight he [Sancho] got sick, so he's not available," Ten Hag told MUTV.

The Red Devils have new signings Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen on the bench, with the duo potentially being involved at some stage of the contest.

"We will see [Martinez and Eriksen]. We will see how the game goes. I already said, we want to get many players with 90 minutes in their legs, but Martinez and Eriksen are not ready for that," Ten Hag added.

"So we have to build them, build their fitness levels. They will definitely get game time today or tomorrow. They [Atletico] are a really tough opponent, difficult style to play against and it's not easy, so it's a big challenge for is."

Man United will also be in action against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly confirming that he will be involved at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo has not made the trip to Norway alongside his teammates amid the speculation surrounding his future, with Anthony Martial again set to lead the line.

Martial was in strong form for the Red Devils during their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, finding the back of the net on three occasions in four matches.

Marcus Rashford is also again in the XI, while there is a return in central midfield for Scott McTominay, who missed out against Aston Villa last time out due to a fitness problem.

Tyrell Malacia will play at left-back, with Luke Shaw not making the trip, while Raphael Varane is also absent due to his recent fitness problems, so Victor Lindelof plays alongside Harry Maguire in the middle of the defence.

As well as Eriksen and Martinez, James Garner, Ethan Laird, Facundo Pellistri, Alex Telles and Donny van de Beek are the outfield players on the bench for the 20-time English champions.

Atletico, meanwhile, have sent a familiar XI onto the field for the first whistle, with Jan Oblak, Yannick Carrasco, Jose Gimenez, Thomas Lemar and Marcos Llorente among the starters for the La Liga club.

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Elanga; Martial