Hojlund will be out for 6 weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained in a friendly match against Arsenal in the US. During the Danish striker's absence, Sancho is given the opportunity to start after half a season on loan at Dortmund.
The English player was deployed in the "number 9" role in the 3-2 victory over Real Betis and the recent 0-3 loss to Liverpool. Coach Ten Hag stated that Sancho could take on the central forward position in the match against Manchester City in the English Super Cup. In fact, the opportunity is also open for Sancho when the "Red Devils" play the Premier League opener against Fulham.
"Yes, otherwise we wouldn't have played him there" - Ten Hag replied when asked if Sancho could start in the match against Man City.
"That's what we can do without Hojlund, but of course, Joshua Zirkzee has also started training. However, he hasn't been training for long, so he will need time and he has to adapt to English football as well as our style of play."
Zirkzee is a £36.5 million signing for Man United this summer, arriving from Bologna. The Dutch forward has not yet trained with the team after returning to Carrington and did not participate in the US tour.
Marcus Rashford is another option to fill the void left by Hojlund, but Ten Hag hinted that the English forward will take on his familiar role on the left wing.
"I think Marcus Rashford has played as a forward before and he can do it. But I think he is most effective on the left wing, then moving inside. We also have Bruno Fernandes, who can also play as a forward" - Ten Hag added.
Man United struggled with their attacking form last season, scoring only 57 goals in the Premier League. They finished the season as the lowest-scoring team in the top half of the table.
The "Red Devils" also missed many chances in the loss to Liverpool, with Sancho, Rashford, Scott McTominay, and Mason Mount all failing to convert.
"Liverpool played well and took their chances. We also created good chances, but we didn't take them. We need to be more efficient" - the Dutch strategist admitted.
