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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Forward missed game with ear infection</li><li>Had been on bench in Community Shield</li><li>Late Zirkzee strike grabbed victory</li></ul>

Revealed: Why Jadon Sancho was left out of Man Utd squad for Premier League opener against Fulham as Erik ten Hag warns 'it's the survival of the fittest'

Premier League

Ipswich

Sancho was not included in the squad for United's first game of the new campaign, bringing back memories of when he was dropped for the match with Arsenal last season, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jadon-sancho-refusal-apologise-erik-ten-hag-explained-man-utd-coach-benni-mccarthy/blt83467b136d828b0c" target="_blank">sparking a huge row with the manager</a> which led to him being exiled from the team. However, Ten Hag explained why he was absent from the 20-man squad list.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"First of all we need squad depth, There will be a long season and it will be survival of the fittest but I can only put 20 players in the squad and Jadon in the week had an ear infection. He was not 100 percent fit," Ten Hag said.

WHAT TEN HAG SAID

Sancho had been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jadon-sancho-manchester-united-lionel-messi-borussia-dortmund-champions-league-psg/bltf7518d71e988232a" target="_blank">impressing against the Parisians </a>while on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season. However, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jadon-sancho-staying-put-psg-no-plans-to-sign-ex-man-utd-outcast/blt79529eb20b0a6a05" target="_blank">PSG's interest in the winger has cooled</a> and he is set to stay at United for the season. Ten Hag insisted he would get more chances. "He could have played but I make choices and prefer other players on the bench but that can change and will change this season," he added. "You see how important subs are. Sometimes it is frustrating for the player but it is about the team, the club. There will be more players in this position. We have so many games to play."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

United earned a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-player-ratings-vs-fulham-joshua-zirkzee-casemiro/bltca0508304b5cd0f9" target="_blank">scrappy 1-0 win over Fulham</a> thanks to a late strike from debutant Joshua Zirkzee. "It doesn’t matter if he is Dutch or English or Russian or South American, it is Man United and he is Man United player and it is very good for a striker coming in and scoring his first goal," Ten Hag said. "He has some attributes we didn’t have and straight away he showed it. He is very good in his linking up combinations. We have some very good ball-playing attackers but he has to arrive in the box and to score goals."

DID YOU KNOW?

The Red Devils will sit top of the Premier League for at least 14 hours. They are next in action away to Brighton &amp; Hove Albion next Saturday.

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Revealed: Why Jadon Sancho was left out of Man Utd squad for Premier League opener against Fulham as Erik ten Hag warns 'it's the survival of the fittest' | Goal.com

Jadon Sancho was left out of the squad for Manchester United&apos;s Premier League opener against Fulham with an ear infection.

Revealed: Why Jadon Sancho was left out of Man Utd squad for Premier League opener against Fulham as Erik ten Hag warns &apos;it&apos;s the survival of the fittest&apos;