BREAKING NEWS:Erik ten Hag has confirmed that his team’s most “dangerous striker” will play against Man City, adding, “I’m expecting goals from him that day,” amid Pep Guardiola’s concerns.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has suggested that he might employ a false nine strategy against Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10.

Rasmus Hojlund, who started the first game of the pre-season tour in the United States, had to leave the field due to a hamstring injury but is expected to be fit by next month. Meanwhile, new summer signing Joshua Zirkzee missed the pre-season tour as he was playing for the Netherlands at the 2024 European Championship.

With less than a week before their match against their arch-rivals, Ten Hag has hinted that Jadon Sancho could start as a forward. He told ESPN, “Yes, otherwise we wouldn’t play with him there. That is what we can do if we don’t have the availability of Rasmus. Joshua Zirkzee is coming in.

He has started training, but he hasn’t been training long, so it will take time for him to adapt to English football and our style of play. There is also Jadon as a striker. We know he can play in wide areas, but also as a false striker, he’s an option.”

Sancho’s potential role as a false nine marks a significant turnaround for him at United. Previously, many doubted his future at the club, especially after a social media outburst against Ten Hag led to his loan to Borussia Dortmund.

However, the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as co-owner has sparked changes at Old Trafford, offering a potential fresh start for both Sancho and Ten Hag.

Last season, Ten Hag also utilized Sancho as a false nine, a role that is not his natural position. Despite this, it presents an important opportunity for Sancho to prove his value by stepping up against Manchester City, thereby regaining the manager’s trust and the fans’ support.

While Marcus Rashford is another option for the striker role, Ten Hag maintains that Rashford is best positioned on the left. Ideally, Ten Hag would want Sancho to drop deeper to collect the ball and distribute it to Rashford, Amad Diallo, or Alejandro Garnacho.

Should Sancho struggle to make an impact, Zirkzee could potentially make his club debut off the bench. This strategy gives United flexibility and an alternative approach in their attack as they face their rivals.