Man Utd fans are loving the sweet moment between Sancho and Ten Hag as the boss hints at a new role for the returning star

MANCHESTER UNITED fans loved watching the sweet moment between Jadon Sancho and Erik Ten Hag as the Dutchman hinted at a new role for the returning star.

The England winger finally made a comeback for the Red Devils after a 102-day absence as United strolled into a Carabao Cup final with Newcastle.

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The 22-year-old received a huge ovation when he came on for a 28-minute cameo to help United beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 and secure a 5-0 aggregate result.

Sancho hadn’t played since October 22 after struggling with physical and mental health issues.

And Ten Hag welcomed his returning star, who has only recently returned to full training with the first team.

He said: “It’s good to have Jadon back.

“It is important that the players enjoy football. There is energy and that gives them the motivation to perform. The support he got from the fans has been great and that will give him even more motivation to keep going.”

Ten Hag looked delighted to have Sancho back as the pair laughed on the touchline before the Dutch coach gave the youngster a slap on the head before entering the fight.

He brought Sancho in just after the hour mark and the boy couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he stepped in to chants of “Sancho, Sancho.”

And fans were quick to notice the warm hug, with one tweeting, “Sancho’s smile and Ten Hag’s little encouragement is all I needed to see.”

Another wrote: “Ten Hag with Sancho right there so I love him as a manager.”

While another added: “Sancho smiles with Ten Hag it’s time to cook.”

Sancho is usually used far out, but tonight he came in and played the No. 10 role behind fellow sub Anthony Martial.

And afterwards, Ten Hag hinted that this could be his new role, saying: “Jadon, I know he can play as a number 10 and a winger. We can mix it up a lot and I like that.”

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The ex-Dortmund ace had last played away at Chelsea on October 22 before being left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup.

Sancho was pushed to focus on an individual training program after linking up with coaches Ten Hag had previously worked with while teammates were in Qatar.

After his cameo, however, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the attacker.

And Ten Hag believes Sancho can make a difference in the key games to come, adding: “He’s already shown that this season.

“For example, in the game against Liverpool, he scored a great goal. He scored against Leicester, he’s had some good games like Spurs – so he’s already shown his great ability. He has high standards.”

Sancho was even hugged by Forest boss Steve Cooper, who was his manager when England won the U17 World Cup in 2017.

Cooper said: “We speak quite a bit but it’s the first time I’ve seen him properly.”