Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has praised Jadon Sancho for his impact off the bench in Wednesday's Premier League clash with Leeds United.
The 22-year-old made his return following a lengthy absence against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup on February 1, but he was then an unused substitute against Crystal Palace in the league on Saturday.
Sancho was a second-half substitute in the game with Leeds on Wednesday, and he scored Man United's leveller in their 2-2 draw with the Whites.
The goal was the forward's first in the Premier League since the middle of October, and Ten Hag was full of praise for the former Manchester City youngster after the match.
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"I am very happy for him. Of course, also for the team because it is all about that. But I am happy for him, it will encourage him and will motivate him further on. He is in the right direction," Ten Hag told reporters.
"If he keeps going in this process, works hard, he can do even more and he can really help us achieve our goals. Everyone is happy for him.
"We need him, he can contribute, he can create. I think this team is much better than in his first season, we can play in the opponents' half, dictate the game and create chances."
Ten Hag introduced Sancho and Facundo Pellistri in the 59th minute, before Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof featured for the final 10 minutes, and Ten Hag was pleased with his contribution of his substitutes.
"I wanted to switch the dynamic of the game in that moment, as we were not in the game, we did not have good formations, and then we created chances," he added.
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"At 2-0 down, I saw the heads coming down so I wanted to make subs to bring a different dynamic to the team. That was a success. We came back and made great goals, good team goals. Facundo Pellistri and definitely Jadon Sancho, who scored a great second goal."
Ten Hag has now switched his attention to Sunday's clash at Elland Road, with the two sides set to lock horns once again.
"We knew before how we were going to play, in a matter of attitude, a matter of style. But you have to be ready. You have to read that game, anticipate it right, you have to win the battles," he added.
"And that is for everyone to take the responsibility and win the individual battles, then you win this game. We are not playing against the fans [at Elland Road]. You are playing the XI on the pitch. We have to be ready - not like today. We have to learn the lesson."
Man United are currently third in the Premier League table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on the same number of matches (22).
Matt Law
