When Jadon Sancho continues his reintegration as a Manchester United player by facing Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this weekend, he could be forgiven for casting his mind back 12 months to a pre-season friendly between the two clubs in New Jersey a year ago this week.
Sancho played as a false nine for United that day at the MetLife Stadium, racing clear of the Gunners defence shortly before half-time to smash the ball into the roof of the net in United’s 2-0 win.
It hinted at better times ahead for the England winger who took three months out during Erik ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford because he was not ‘physically or mentally’ ready to play, according to the United boss.