The former Borussia Dortmund winger is yet to find his feet at Old Trafford, and its not clear how he fits into Erik ten Hag's long-term plans
Jadon Sancho was handed only his 12th Premier League start of the season for Manchester United against Brentford on Wednesday, with Erik ten Hag taking the decision to bring him in ahead of misfiring frontman Wout Weghorst.
Asked why he opted for Sancho ahead of kick-off, the Dutch coach told : "Creativity. Jadon has made good progress since he came back. You know he can play the final pass, he can make action one-on-one, he can move in behind and score a goal, so that's the reason why."
Sancho had some bright moments during the 1-0 win at Old Trafford, but was ultimately unable to live up to Ten Hag's pre-match billing before being substituted in the 71st minute.
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The 23-year-old was exiled from the United squad during the Christmas period after Ten Hag expressed concern over his fitness and mental strength, with the team flourishing him in his absence.
He worked hard to turn that situation around, but is still by no means guaranteed a place in United's line up, and has yet to prove he can deliver the goods in the final third on a consistent basis.
After almost two seasons at the club, United have to demand more from Sancho and he has to demand more from himself.
(C)Getty ImagesPrice tag pressure
After a drawn-out transfer saga spanning the best part of two years, United finally managed to prise Sancho away from Dortmund in a £72 million deal on July 23, 2021.
At the time, the huge fee felt justified, and perhaps even a bargain given how far Dortmund came down from their initial £108m asking price.
Sancho was nothing short of phenomenal at Dortmund, registering 50 goals and 64 assists across 137 appearances, while also earning a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season for both 2019 and 2020.
He became one of the best young players in Europe during his four-year stay in Germany, but has not played with the same freedom at Old Trafford.
The large gulf in quality between the Bundesliga and Premier League cannot be disputed, and a settling-in period was expected for Sancho, but he has often looked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders at United.
When asked about Sancho's failure to hit the ground the running mid-way through the 2021-22 campaign, then-interim manager Ralf Rangnick gave a telling response: "The level of expectation was a lot lower [at Dortmund] compared to the situation where you come to a club like United for a high transfer fee. He’s playing in a different league and is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s also got to do with a lot of the things up here in his head."
Sancho turned 23 last month, which is often the age that talented prospects start to blossom into the finished article, but he is still yet to find a way to handle the pressure of life at United.
AdvertisementGettyLack of confidence
At Dortmund, Sancho was fearless. When he received the ball, the crowd would hold its breath in anticipation of something special, and he rarely disappointed.
He glided past defenders with ease and provided Dortmund's frontmen with a constant stream of incisive passes, while also showing off his eye for goal.
That's why United invested so heavily in Sancho. He seemed to have all the necessary attributes to follow in the footsteps of some of the club's all-time great wingers such as George Best, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Unfortunately, Sancho seems to lack the inner belief that those icons had in spades.
He has recorded only 14 goal contributions in 64 outings for United to date, which highlights the fact that he is no longer taking risks in possession.
Indeed, former United defender Rio Ferdinand recently issued a warning to Sancho and another of the club's big-money signings, Antony, on his FIVE YouTube channel: "There’s one part of Antony and Jadon Sancho’s game that I think needs to improve, and that’s taking more risks. You don’t have success without taking risks, you don’t win trophies without taking risks. [Sir] Alex Ferguson used to say to us all the time that he doesn’t want safe from forwards."
Sancho's cautious game underlines just how low on confidence he is. Until he can rediscover the bold mindset that saw him thrive at Dortmund, Ten Hag will have little reason to keep him in the starting XI.
GettyDoesn't have Ten Hag's full trust
Ten Hag has been very open with his concerns about Sancho this season. He was omitted from England's 2022 World Cup squad after falling out of favour at United, and suffered another blow when Ten Hag decided not to take him on the club's winter training camp in Spain.
"We got a drop of level and what happens sometimes you don't know why or what is causing it," the United boss said. "That is what we're doing now, trying to research and now we try to get him back there. It's a combination of physical but also mental."
Sancho finally returned to action for United's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie, and has made 12 more appearances since then, but has only scored twice.
He hasn't set up any goals in that period either, which leaves Ten Hag in something of a bind when trying to fit him into his team.
Marcus Rashford, United's top goal-scorer in 2022-23, is at his best when cutting in from the left. Alejandro Garnacho, who is currently out injured, has also impressed on that flank and has been earmarked as one of the club's brightest talents.
On the right, £85m summer addition Antony continues to be Ten Hag's go-to man, and although the Brazilian has also been criticised for a lack of end product, he has an aggressive, combative streak that often helps spark United into life – not to mention a wand of a left foot.
With Anthony Martial now returning to full fitness, it will be even harder for Sancho to get a look-in. He has only completed four 90-minute matches this season, and after his early exit against Brentford, it's clear that he still does not yet enjoy Ten Hag's full trust.
Getty ImagesBetter options on the market
If Sancho doesn't start fulfilling his potential soon, his future at Old Trafford will become even more uncertain.
He is under contract until 2026, but according to the , Ten Hag is growing impatient with the England forward, and United may consider cutting their losses on a prized asset.
The Red Devils have also been linked with a number of players that are ahead of Sancho in their development right now, including Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Former Italy forward Christian Vieri has even gone so far as to say of the Georgian sensation, who has helped Napoli storm to the top of Serie A and reach the Champions League quarter-finals: "If he goes toManchester United,the days of George Best will return. Kvaratskhelia is the same."
Ten Hag is also reportedly weighing up a move for Mohamed Kudus, who could follow in the footsteps of Antony and Lisandro Martinez in making the jump from Ajax to Old Trafford this summer.
Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma is another exciting name said to be on United's shortlist, and the Japan international has already proved he can cut it in the Premier League with a string of superb performances for Roberto De Zerbi's side.
It has also been reported that United could rival Chelsea for the permanent signing of Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix, and Sancho would likely see his minutes reduced even further if the club is able to pull off one or more these deals when the transfer market reopens.