Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his players must “deal with” the disappointment of missing the games.

United started their Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Fulham, with Joshua Zirkzee coming off the bench to score the last-minute winner.

Jadon Sancho, on the other hand, was not included in the squad for the game after returning to the club on loan from Borussia Dortmund last season.

The 24-year-old had a positive conversation with Ten Hag upon his return after previously falling out of favour with the Dutchman.

The English winger played in United’s Community Shield loss to Manchester City on August 10. When asked if he would play in the next game against Brighton, Ten Hag said: “We will see.”

Ten Hag added that he hopes to have two players for each position by the end of the transfer window, meaning not everyone can be selected.

“But you need them all throughout the season because this season is about survival of the fittest. The attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed but they have to deal with it.

“You don’t win with 11 (players), you win with a team. The prizes will be awarded next May and by then all players on the team must be highly motivated to contribute.”

“That is not an expectation, that is a demand from the club and from me as the team coach. The team is always more important than any individual.”