Is Sancho a bust? And, is Antony headed the same way too?

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It's a fair question and obviously united fans do not want either of them to be flops. Both players are young and both will be here next season.

Neither have performed to the level we expect but with all the games coming up, they can still contribute. I think we will get a much clearer picture on both at the end of season. I wouldn't call them flops yet but definitely underwhelming so far.
 
Neither of them is a flop...yet. Sancho has certainly underdelivered and Anthony is not having the best time adjusting to the PL.

That being said, they are both young and talented, so things are not as gloomy as some make them out to be. We are yet to see if EtH's latest decision on Sancho has a positive effect. Regarding Anthony, now that he is against better opposition, he will have develop his game. The bad thing is, as the manager said himself, that we don't have much time to actually focus on individual player improvement. Moving players on individual regimes for 1-2 months is not really a sustainable option, especially when we don't have enough quality in the squad.
 
You peoples are the worst

Antony has been here 4 months and played 15 games.
 
Sancho has underdelivered so far, but he has clearly been going through a dark head space recently, so I think it's fair to reserve judgement and allow him time to get back up to speed. He has the talent - you don't play like he did over in Germany and amass those numbers if you're a nothing player. Ease him back in to the team - perhaps the FA Cup game against Reading would be a good place to start for him - a game we should win, weaker opposition, at home. Having him back would allow options if we need to move Rashford to a centre forward position, he could come in on the left, or even given a crack more centrally alongside Bruno - I think he'd be decent there feeding balls into the wingers cutting in (I am not advocating that he should be playing there ahead of Bruno - just as an option, if needed).

Antony looks a little underwhelming so far. Having said that, big move, big money, World Cup in the middle of it all (and all the disappointment of Brazil being knocked out at that stage), plus having to adapt to a new league. He shouldn't get a free pass, but patience needs to be shown. I am a little surprised by his apparent lack of pace - he doesn't seem to back himself in a foot race, which ideally we'd want a bit more of to help the counter attacks. He has huge talent, is working with a manager he knows and trusts, which is reciprocal, so again, a bit more time before we start making rash judgements and write him off.
 
The only thing Antony has failed at is creating chances, and to be honest we don't really have a good enough no 9 to make chances for. Fully except that part of his game to improve when we bring in capable forwards.
 
I think Anthony has been mediocre in his first few months here. Not much attacking and build up output, but worse case scenario he still puts a shift. So far his off the ball work has been his saving grace, and whilst he may have bad games from an attacking sense, he will still pull his weight on the other side. Similar to Daniel James in that perspective. No matter how bad he plays, he will still contribute to 50 % of the game

Sancho, imo, is the more technically proficient talent, but he is also a lot more of an issue when he has to cover hard yards. So when he goes missing in a game, he cant compensate with defensive work because his physical abilities are not there ( seems to also have a limited tank ). So Sancho has to play well and contribute on the ball in order not to be a liability, whilst Antony can get away with it.
 
Mick1 said:
I think Anthony has been mediocre in his first few months here. Not much attacking and build up output, but worse case scenario he still puts a shift. So far his off the ball work has been his saving grace, and whilst he may have bad games from an attacking sense, he will still pull his weight on the other side. Similar to Daniel James in that perspective. No matter how bad he plays, he will still contribute to 50 % of the game

Sancho, imo, is the more technically proficient talent, but he is also a lot more of an issue when he has to cover hard yards. So when he goes missing in a game, he cant compensate with defensive work because his physical abilities are not there ( seems to also have a limited tank ). So Sancho has to play well and contribute on the ball in order not to be a liability, whilst Antony can get away with it.
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Sancho hasn't played since October. We truly have no idea how he will perform under Ten Hag yet. The improvements we've seen over the months for some of these players has been nothing short of stunning. It will be very exciting to see how he does after his specialised training programme in Holland.
 
On form, Sancho has more strings to his bow. If Sancho is physically and mentally prepared he should have the RW spot in no time.
 
For the money yes on Sancho, maybe on Antony. Too early there.

The one good thing is we bought both young. So Sancho has time to refind the formula he had at Dortmund. And its not unexpected that Antony needs a bit of time too.

But time is only good if Sancho shows the desire and mentality to make the most of it. He needs to work hard to get back to being the level expected at United. If he cant do that then he wont go down as just a flop for the fee, but a flop in terms of never managing to become an important first team player for United

If Sancho isn't back playing very well next season its time to move him on
 
Antony is our level second highest goal scorer in his debut season. Not saying much as it’s 5 goals in 18 but shows how weak our side is maybe too up front.

We need to bring in or develop at least two more 20+ goal a season candidates. I don’t think Antony or Sancho can be those but hopefully they can help the squad.

My main worry with Antony isn’t goals at all though it’s lacking assists. Needs to work on that big time.
 
Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Rashford and Shaw have all been counted out at some point, but now they are performing well. There is no reason Sancho and Antony can't significantly improve as well.

Sancho has some stuff to sort out, and Antony needs to work on not being too one-dimensional. Both are fixable.
 
Red Shorts said:
Ahh you were making a good point until...

Fully agree nonetheless
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He wasn't world class or anything but in his season under Sir Alex his general play was actually very decent and he was very cheap.

Not trying to argue he was a success but definitely not a massive flop considering the price.
 
BlueHaze said:
To anyone who read my first post..

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Holy cow. He's a beast. Thanks for the reminder.

Also, United's finishing was just atrocious last year. Shambles.

Only thing is he looks more dangerous from the left than from the right. Even at his 80% he's probably better than Antony at his peak. Hope he's back to form soon
 
Im actually very hopeful with Antony. I was impressed with his pace against fulham - he took on their centreback with the ball and looked a lot faster than I gave him credit for. Bit of a one trick pony - but these Brazillians are tough, I think he'll do well for us over the next few years.
 
Example, the exact same attitude as to why De Bruyne and Salah didnt remain at Chelsea is on show here. If we are remain the leaders of promoting academy players etc we all need to take a chill pill. During recent years if these points were taken to heart, Shaw, Dalot , Fred, Rashford, Awb etc would all be shipped out. Antony is new to this league and needs to be given time. Looks like Garancho is signing a 6 year contract which is brilliant news but if he get growing pains and has a run of games of less impact are we then on here with the poor, useless, chants. In Ten Hag I trust, he wanted Antony and that's good enough for me. I am glad the money was spent on him as it wouldn't have been available today anyhow as the glaziers would have kept it, like they are doing now will no winter signings.
 
Both players are young, both need to grow into the league, OK Sancho has been here longer than Antony . Sancho is a class player getting his head right and body for the 2nd part of the season.
Antony patience is needed with him and also the penny needs to drop with him to use his ability more , he also needs to improve his right foot, Giggs wasn't great on his right foot but way better than Antony, in terms of progress I'd say Garnacho is ahead of Antony.

Both Sancho and Antony will improve.
 
A simple answer to why Sancho and Antony are struggling is we haven't structured our attacking system fully yet as a team. This will happen over time. Both will start performing at a higher level & this thread will start to look like one of those Rashford/Dalot/AWB/Shaw threads.
 
I have faith in Sancho making it. He's a top talent and at his best he can be incredible for us. I'm starting to have real doubts about Antony because as a wide player there's nothing threatening about his game. He doesn't take on players, and he rarely puts in a decent cross. He can score a goal here and there, but otherwise I don't think he worries defenders at all. Compare that to everytime Garnacho has the ball on most defenders will be shitting themselves.

So basically Sancho just need to get to the right state mentally and physically, but Antony needs to change how he plays the game.
 
Both are young enough to develop, but they have to show they can cope with playing with the 'big boys' and at a club were personal pressure is at its highest; that hasn't happened yet!
Sancho it seems is having some mental problems (of an unspecified nature); whereas Antony seems limited to a left foot wizardry, but only uses his right for standing on.
A lot of money tied up in these two, which only adds to the pressure. I feel they have the rest of this season just to demonstrate they can cope, then hit the ground running next season.
 
Eleven-Eighteen said:
Holy cow. He's a beast. Thanks for the reminder.

Also, United's finishing was just atrocious last year. Shambles.

Only thing is he looks more dangerous from the left than from the right. Even at his 80% he's probably better than Antony at his peak. Hope he's back to form soon
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He’s literally putting it on a plate for people to miss repeatedly.
 
Sancho is clearly an immense talent, it'd be horrible if he didn't make it here, a total waste, so let's hope that doesn't happen and he comes back in good form.

Antony? Feck knows. He's a weird one. But he's young at least and hopefully has a lot more to his game than we've seen so far.
 
I’m concerned, but certainly more so about Antony than Sancho. Yes, he’s ‘only 22’ (which is as young as you choose to make it out to be in any given argument. If he were 29 people would say we should sign a 22 year old instead).

We’ve seen 18 year old Ronaldo be far from complete. But we saw a player who could run fast, could dribble, could shoot hard and cross with left and right. We knew he needed to get stronger. We knew he needed to make better decisions. We knew he needed to improve his heading, but we also saw he was 6ft. Tools were there.

With Antony - the requisite speed is not there and I don’t think the physical profile is there either. He can improve his confidence and courage 1v1 over time, and his finishing is decent and can improve - but I do worry if the tools are there for him to be a really top player.
 
Shakesey said:
Really? Isn't that too soon for him?
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Wouldn't have thought he'd throw Sancho in at the deep end after giving him so much time. Hopefully on the bench soon. Think both are playing with huge price tags on them and don't think that helps.
 
bringbackbebe said:
A simple answer to why Sancho and Antony are struggling is we haven't structured our attacking system fully yet as a team. This will happen over time. Both will start performing at a higher level & this thread will start to look like one of those Rashford/Dalot/AWB/Shaw threads.
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That might be true, however now our wingers get much more options (passing options, 1on1 vs defender, better passing from midfield) so those are entirely different conditions to last season. I don't think either of Antony & Sancho has been dangerous enough for a winger, but the question now is how Sancho looks after a break. Antony - we pretty much know what to expect from him.

Someone said:
I have faith in Sancho making it. He's a top talent and at his best he can be incredible for us. I'm starting to have real doubts about Antony because as a wide player there's nothing threatening about his game. He doesn't take on players, and he rarely puts in a decent cross. He can score a goal here and there, but otherwise I don't think he worries defenders at all. Compare that to everytime Garnacho has the ball on most defenders will be shitting themselves.

So basically Sancho just need to get to the right state mentally and physically, but Antony needs to change how he plays the game.
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Indeed.
 
Rozay said:
I’m concerned, but certainly more so about Antony than Sancho. Yes, he’s ‘only 22’ (which is as young as you choose to make it out to be in any given argument. If he were 29 people would say we should sign a 22 year old instead).

We’ve seen 18 year old Ronaldo be far from complete. But we saw a player who could run fast, could dribble, could shoot hard and cross with left and right. We knew he needed to get stronger. We knew he needed to make better decisions. We knew he needed to improve his heading, but we also saw he was 6ft. Tools were there.

With Antony - the requisite speed is not there and I don’t think the physical profile is there either. He can improve his confidence and courage 1v1 over time, and his finishing is decent and can improve - but I do worry if the tools are there for him to be a really top player.
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Technique isn't there as well in my opinion. He just doesn't look comfortable moving with the ball.
 
CatsOfUlthar said:
Sancho was always cursed. English players move to the Bundesliga because they don't have the physicality required in the Premier League, as much as it's rapidly becoming a truly non contact sport.

He was extortionate from the off, no way he's ever justifying his fee.

Anthony I'd like to hope will come good, but I've hoped enough to know he probably won't.

I just don't feel we're all that smart buying players. Everything is super expensive now, we should probably take our chances buying unknown for a few million a pop, adding up to the same fee we've been paying single players.

The opossum usually churns out twenty children. Less than half survive. I feel we should be spreading at a more economically intelligent level than spunking the entire value of a Championship club up the wall for a defender who was the least impressive of an unlikely League winning side.
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Maguire wasn’t at Leicester when they won the league
 
I do mind waiting for a player who we bought for hundred fecking million pound.

These prices are not the prices you wait and pray somehow he'll adapt to the league. This is the get up and start running at full throttle price.
 
RG77 said:
Don’t know about Sancho, but Antony seems like a big waste of money. Sure he could turn it around. But from what we’ve seen so far, he doesn’t really have the required skills. I don’t see him growing in his game where suddenly he is able to dribble past players, give accurate crosses and scoring regularly.

New team, new competition, new country etc. sure. But just watching him play, I simply don’t see a player who can grow into the type of player United should be aiming for. I see him more as a good option for the bench.
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I don't get this. As disappointing as Antony has been, he has been miles better than Sancho. Kind of weird to see how much better has Sancho become during these months he didn't play. The Lucas Leiva syndrome when a player becomes better the less he plays.
 
Can’t believe the nonsense I’ve been reading on here. Cannot wait when Sancho and Antony starting firing and going well. Flops at 22, absolute fecking insane thread.
 
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