Opinion
With a great future ahead for the 20-year-old English winger, he has been a subject of transfer speculations for quite a while now, and a switch back to the English Premier League on the cards.
Teams like Manchester United and Chelsea are interested, and possibly Manchester City, which would see him return to his old stomping ground.
Manchester United has spent so much in recruitment of both players and managers in trying to find a balance. They are trying to return the team to the successful years under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed the club for 26 years. In contrast the club has now had four managers in just six years.
The board has demonstrated support for the current boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a club legend, by backing him up so far in player acquisitions, spending a record-breaking fee for ex-Leicester player Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace, Daniel James from Swansea in the European summer and also bringing in Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo in January, the latter signed on loan from China.
The team looked languid, shaky and inconsistent for the first half of the season. But they suddenly sprung to life after the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, whose performance has fascinated and astonished the Manchester United old guard and fans alike.
From a United perspective, the goal is to challenge the top guns and get back to winning the league. Solskjaer is building the team structure, and is heading in the right path, but there are still some noticeable deficiencies in the team that need improving.
The right flank for Manchester United has been particularly mediocre post Sir Alex Ferguson. Daniel James has been a good addition to the team but his performances have not been top drawer. A better quality player is needed and Sancho will no doubt fill this gap magnificently.
Could Jadon Sancho be Manchester-bound? (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
These are the five impacts Jadon Sancho will make.
1. Improved attacking prowess
Watching Manchester United this season, the team’s attack is not as dangerous and venomous as a team looking to be champions anytime soon need to be. I could say the defence still needs attention, but before the pandemic and suspension of the Premier League season, Manchester United had shipped just 30 goals and are the fourth best defensive team in the league.
This team, on the other hand, has only scored 44 goals this season. They have fared well against the top six sides of English football, losing only to league leaders Liverpool at Anfield and Arsenal early in the new year. But breaking down deep defences is their major problem as they have lost a further four times to teams not currently in the top four.
With the great ability of Sancho to create and score goals, as seen in his performances for Borussia Dortmund, he will be a handy addition to the Manchester United team.
2. Attacking depth
Manchester City’s attacking depth is something noteworthy and has been of great importance to Pep Guardiola. City have the likes of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva, who can all cause defenders sleepless nights and give them terrible experiences on the pitch.
If Sancho is added to the United attack, the manager will have options like Marcus Rashford, Daniel James and Anthony Martial to complement Jadon Sancho.
3. Playing style
Yes, Solskjaer is adapting the Ferguson style with some modern touches to the pattern. United play fast on the counter, but what about breaking deep defences?
Daniel James plays really well when United play the old way, counter-attacking because of the space left behind by the opposing teams, but to challenge for the title and consequently win the league, the team must be able to beat teams that pack the bus, leaving little space to exploit.
Sancho’s creativity, dribbling and passing ability in combination with Rashford, Martial and Ighalo will offer United a penetrative style.
Nigerian international Odion Ighalo has extended his stay in Manchester. (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)
4. Commitment and consistency
The United boss once rejected deals to get Mauro Icardi and Gareth Bale because he seeks to build a team that is committed and consistent. He wants young lads who have guts and want to win for the team.
United have suffered in situations in the past where players were either lacking commitment or were not consistent.
Players like Alexis Sanchez, Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay never got kicking for the team. Sancho is a dynamic young lad that desires to get to the top of his career. He will be committed to a top team like United.
5. Improve others
In football, a good competition is needed among players to always get the best from them. Competition has proven good for some individuals and teams.
United this season have seen Marcus Rashford getting goals and assists, with Anthony Martial and Daniel James contributing.
Sancho being in the mix will help spice things up, and more goals and assists will result. Sancho – just like Bruno Fernandes – will improve the current attacking players at United.
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