[Foxbatt]

He is playing too deep. He should be playing where Rashford is playing with probably DVB playing in his position.

 

[Bebestation]

Still don't see any elite ability in him though. Not yet, at least. I mean I am patient but the way people talked about him after each game sounded like I have been watching a different Sancho in United shirt.

People compare him with Mata. He is decent at keeping the ball in tight spaces just like Mata but lack of creative passes unlike Mata so far in United shirt. But then again, our front line has been a bit shit as a whole this season.

I feel the same.

I just avoid the mediocre thoughts on Sancho by believing I must have just not payed attention.

 

[Bebestation]

He is playing too deep. He should be playing where Rashford is playing with probably DVB playing in his position.

So sancho should be playing as a LF in partnership with Ronaldo as his striker partner?

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Visibly and rightfully pissed off when he was taken off. Was he outstanding? No, but he was certainly our brightest player in the final third and one player that could actually keep the ball.

 

[pascell]

Still don't see any elite ability in him though. Not yet, at least. I mean I am patient but the way people talked about him after each game sounded like I have been watching a different Sancho in United shirt.

People compare him with Mata. He is decent at keeping the ball in tight spaces just like Mata but lack of creative passes unlike Mata so far in United shirt. But then again, our front line has been a bit shit as a whole this season.

Our front line is too pedestrian, that's why he's struggling. Look at the goal vs Palace when he had Fred making a run into space, that's where he flourishes and when his supporting full back overlaps to create space for him to be 1v1 against the defender.

 

[The United]

I feel the same.

I just avoid the mediocre thoughts on Sancho by believing I must have just not payed attention.

He in fact reminds me of bad version of Mata who played neat, and tidy but did not have anything useful for attacking coming out in some of the games.

 

[The United]

Our front line is too pedestrian, that's why he's struggling. Look at the goal vs Palace when he had Fred making a run into space, that's where he flourishes and when his supporting full back overlaps to create space for him to be 1v1 against the defender.

I know those moments. Frankly I would expect any decent players making those type of passes.

What I meant was I was expecting a bit more of creating something out of nowhere or doing it consistently or forcing the game or taking the game by the neck or whatever those phrases people normally use. My expectation was just a bit unnecessarily and unfairly higher for him, probably.

 

[Frank White]

He had proven his talent while at Dortmund. He's been our best player over the last month or so. Get him in a functional system, which we are working towards, and he'll shine.

I'm sorry what? De Gea clearly has been are best player. Would even put Fred a head of him in terms of effectiveness. He's doing the bare minimum you'd expect of a 70m player.

 

[Still ill]

Visibly and rightfully pissed off when he was taken off. Was he outstanding? No, but he was certainly our brightest player in the final third and one player that could actually keep the ball.

Yeah, by a country mile the best of the front 4. Only one who looked to be following a plan. Only one of them who was careful with possession, which is why the substitution was so disappointing. I thought Ralf would be ruthless in punishing failure to carry out instructions and conspicuous in rewarding adherence.

 

[pascell]

I know those moments. Frankly I would expect any decent players making those type of passes.

What I meant was I was expecting a bit more of creating something out of nowhere or doing it consistently or forcing the game or taking the game by the neck or whatever those phrases people normally use. My expectation was just a bit unnecessarily and unfairly higher for him, probably.

The problem is, he's against a low block with no movement by our players to create space so they're going 2v1 on him most of the time. He needed Telles to come up the pitch to take a defender away for him but it never happened.

With Ronaldo dropping deep and no overlapping full back, it was crowding the space too much, then Sancho would play a one two with Ronaldo but then no one else to feed with a pass, mainly because Rashford wouldn't then come over and vacate the space Ronaldo had moved from.

 

[The United]

The problem is, he's against a low block with no movement by our players to create space so they're going 2v1 on him most of the time. He needed Telles to come up the pitch to take a defender away for him but it never happened.

With Ronaldo dropping deep and no overlapping full back, it was crowding the space too much, then Sancho would play a one two with Ronaldo but then no one else to feed with a pass, mainly because Rashford wouldn't then come over and vacate the space Ronaldo had moved from.

This is one of the conversations I am having in another thread with us playing a bit too narrow and FBs are not quick enough to support unless we dominate them enough to play in their half.

It is something they need to figure out.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Still don't see any elite ability in him though. Not yet, at least. I mean I am patient but the way people talked about him after each game sounded like I have been watching a different Sancho in United shirt.

People compare him with Mata. He is decent at keeping the ball in tight spaces just like Mata but lack of creative passes unlike Mata so far in United shirt. But then again, our front line has been a bit shit as a whole this season.

His elite ability is in his balance, touch, intelligence and general awareness. He doesn't have stand out physical attributes so he may not dribble past one or several players with sheer athleticism but there are other ways to be creative and create chances/opportunities. For him it's more about link up play, passing and movement.

Why people are praising or acknowledging he did well is because he did what was generally progressive in a game where everybody was losing possession left, right and centre and where Norwich was comfortably playing around us; it helped us gather a little bit of momentum. Unfortunately, he may be a victim of our tumescent general team play, which emphasises individual ability and perhaps even Ralf's view on the game thus far (obviously premature to say so).

There was nothing for him to be creative on and it would have been stupid for him to try through balls, over playing/dribbling because his team mates was already doing that. Rashford, Bruno and Ronaldo wasn't able to hold onto the ball and neither was they able to make obvious runs because 1) Norwich was playing well and 2) we were set up tactically too narrow.

Sancho has not been outstanding but if you fail to see his qualities then your expectation of him may be just out of touch.

 

[The United]

His elite ability is in his balance, touch, intelligence and general awareness. He doesn't have stand out physical attributes so he may not dribble past one or several players with sheer athleticism but there are other ways to be creative and create chances/opportunities. For him it's more about link up play, passing and movement.

Why people are praising or acknowledging he did well is because he did what was generally progressive in a game where everybody was losing possession left, right and centre and where Norwich was comfortably playing around us; it helped us gather a little bit of momentum. Unfortunately, he may be a victim of our tumescent general team play, which emphasises individual ability and perhaps even Ralf's view on the game thus far (obviously premature to say so).

There was nothing for him to be creative on. Rashford, Bruno and Ronaldo wasn't able to hold onto the ball and neither was they able to make obvious runs because 1) Norwich was playing well and 2) we were set up tactically narrow.

Sancho has not been outstanding but if you fail to see his qualities then your expectation of him may be just out of touch.

What is his creativity stats among his peer?

I mean this season obviously.

No, I don't see his intelligence and general awareness as elite abilities so far here. Mata despite lacking those physical attributes had those in abundance in his prime. I don't think my expectation for a player played in his position cost 70m is out of touch though. Probably for the Sancho player. That might be something I am recognizing myself.

But then again I don't want to defend my early opinions too much that I sound like I am writing him off too early. I would love him to succeed for the sake of United, obviously.

 

[kafta]

Surprised he got taken off. Our best attacking player. Getting better and better.

 

[criticalanalysis]

What is his creativity stats among his peer?

That was quick, you quoted me after I made small edit! Anyways what's your point? Everybody knows his goals/assists ratio for the past 3 years are almost unparalleled? I don't think his creativity or rather his play making is in question. It's whether 1) we as a team can provide that platform and 2) he goes on to then deliver.

 

[The United]

That was quick, you quoted me after I made small edit! Anyways what's your point? Everybody knows his goals/assists ratio for the past 3 years are almost unparalleled? I don't think his creativity or rather his play making is in question. It's whether 1) we as a team can provide that platform and 2) he goes on to then deliver.

I just edited mine too.

As for this goal/assist ratio, it is great but it was in German. No disrespect to the league. But we also do know very well with how those players we signed from there do here in the past. Can't blame some people who might be a bit cautious with it and not taking them as face value.

He could not even get in England team with all that and he was pretty much not the standard in England shirt either.

 

[criticalanalysis]

What is his creativity stats among his peer?

I mean this season obviously.

No, I don't see his intelligence and general awareness as elite abilities so far here. Mata despite lacking those physical attributes had those in abundance in his prime. I don't think my expectation for a player played in his position cost 70m is out of touch though. Probably for the Sancho player. That might be something I am recognizing myself.

But then again I don't want to defend my early opinions too much that I sound like I am writing him off too early. I would love him to succeed for the sake of United, obviously.

I just edited mine too.

As for this goal/assist ratio, it is great but it was in German. No disrespect to the league. But we also do know very well with how those players we signed from there do here in the past. Can't blame some people who might be a bit cautious with it and not taking them as face value.

He could not even get in England team with all that and he was pretty much not the standard in England shirt either.

I don't think your hesitation or fear of whether he can produce is misplaced because after all, you just never know. However, even if there is small evidence of it from his games with us, I have no doubt in his ability. We'll have just to agree to disagree there because I'm basing it on mostly on lots of 'small' and subtle things like touches, passes, awareness of when and where to pass etc. I rate these things on a higher emphasis because it's basically what every good footballer needs to play good football in a modern team. Unfortunately 1) he hasn't had many minutes to show this, 2) they haven't resulted in direct opportunities or output and 3) it's not like he has the best platform to perform. I mean who has actually played well or shown 'ability' for us this year? He would absolutely slot into Chelsea, Liverpool or City's set up with no issue imo.

 

[ivaldo]

I'm sorry what? De Gea clearly has been are best player. Would even put Fred a head of him in terms of effectiveness. He's doing the bare minimum you'd expect of a 70m player.

Ok, slight exaggeration, but leave off the '70m player' nonsense. He's a system player in a completely dysfunctional side, and yet is still our best attacking player. Imagine what he'd actually do if we decided to play to his strengths instead of pretending he's s Rashford clone?

 

[The United]

I don't think your hesitation or fear of whether he can produce is misplaced because after all, you just never know. However, even if there is small evidence of it from his games with us, I have no doubt in his ability. We'll have just to agree to disagree there because I'm basing it on mostly on lots of 'small' and subtle things like touches, passes, awareness of when and where to pass etc. I rate these things on a higher emphasis because it's basically what every good footballer needs to play good football in a modern team. Unfortunately 1) he hasn't had many minutes to show this, 2) they haven't resulted in direct opportunities or output and 3) it's not like he has the best platform to perform. I mean who has actually played well or shown 'ability' for us this year? He would absolutely slot into Chelsea, Liverpool or City's set up with no issue imo.

My thing is that I expect most of footballers who play in that position would have those 'small things' especially the one that is highly rated already at such young age.

I am just looking for a bit extra. But as you said we have not had a good year at all this year even though sometimes we blame on the set up more often than we should in these past few years to fence of our fav players including me. So yeah.

 

[bosnian_red]

He is playing too deep. He should be playing where Rashford is playing with probably DVB playing in his position.

Not at all, Sancho is a creator, he needs to be playing in that creative line and not right up front. He was the only one of the front 4 who seemingly knew how to control a ball today though, so you can't get much going when every move breaks down so quickly.

 

[Frank White]

Ok, slight exaggeration, but leave off the '70m player' nonsense. He's a system player in a completely dysfunctional side, and yet is still our best attacking player. Imagine what he'd actually do if we decided to play to his strengths instead of pretending he's s Rashford clone?

Beyond the price on his reputation alone he's been distinctly average. What would be the line up that plays to his strengths?

 

[ivaldo]

Beyond the price on his reputation alone he's been distinctly average. What would be the line up that plays to his strengths?

Its got nothing to do with the line up, but rather how you play to his strengths. You make runs and you get played in and around him. You don't play like he's Rashford. Think about when he's been most dangerous.

 

[Adisa]

The only attacker not constantly giving the ball away.

 

[BluesJr]

I wish he was a little faster.

 

[Vaibhav Raj]

He was the least wasteful of our front four and the most mobile one. Always on the move after a pass, always offering an option. Our other attackers tried to "do it all by themselves" either in terms of attempting reckless passes or running into defenders while dribbling, making it easier for opposition to break down our momentum and build their own. Bruno was playing hot potato with the football and Rashford was running like a headless chicken just hoping defenders would disappear, allowing him to go through on goal. Ronaldo is the goat but he was very off with his short passing too. I have no clue how it was Sancho who was hooked off first or appeared to be any worse that other three.

 

[zenith]

There is a reason why he plays so well with VDB. They are both system players who thrive in a pattern of play and predictably with innovation.

What we are doing right now is chaos football, it's all over the place and if an attacker is moving forward, there is no certainty that those moving forward with him have much of an idea about what to do next

 

[Isotope]

Best of the crappy front 4.

 

[Borys]

Funny how so called "system" player, who is new to the league and just 21yo, already looks like the best attacking player, while "no-system" players like Rashford and especially Bruno struggle massively.
The system, or lack of it, is a problem for the team, not for individuals.
Bigger issue will be how can Bruno and Rashford adapt to any kind of system that requires more than ultra direct passing and running.

 

[Member 117152]

So sancho should be playing as a LF in partnership with Ronaldo as his striker partner?

Worked well with Haaland at Dortmund. Another world class poacher.

 

[Member 117152]

Worked well with Haaland at Dortmund. Another world class poacher.

Sancho is world class. A really special player.

Some of his dribbles are insanely good for us already and he knows when to pass the ball. He will reach an elite level again like he was for Dortmund no doubt once he adapts and finds a suitable role.

I can see him been the best player to watch in our side for a few years in the future. His ceiling and football IQ is one of the highest we have seen at our club I think. Worth every penny long term.

 

[antsmithmk]

Played OK yesterday but not sure I've seen anything yet that suggests he is going to a world beater for us. Probably an above average player in Germany.

 

[Orton]

He’s not really imposed himself much has he? I can’t really remember him doing anything yesterday. Some nice cute passes in previous games, obviously the late counter attacking goal against Villarreal, but he still has to do so much more than this. Shades of Kagawa so far. Looks a bit lost.

 

[horsechoker]

I wonder if he's being saved for Tuesday.

I think one of Bruno, Rashford or Ronaldo will get dropped with Greenwood coming in.

 

[dablem_10]

if i could guess he was rested to be fully fit for brentford. game is in few days. Also in this game hi didnt lost that many balls, his passing was direct and vertical most of times suffering that other attackers were unable to play one two's with him. As ralf said two 10s are most demanding so we can expect often to be these two players subbed as first. Still think 433 would suit him better as he could play more upfront

 

[Borys]

He’s not really imposed himself much has he? I can’t really remember him doing anything yesterday. Some nice cute passes in previous games, obviously the late counter attacking goal against Villarreal, but he still has to do so much more than this. Shades of Kagawa so far. Looks a bit lost.

He has Kagawa vibes the way he plays short passes and moves to different position, but he's completely different player as Jadon should play from the wings, while Kagawa was pushed to the wings from Central position.

But in general I think on this forum everyone who is not a direct player is compared to Kagawa.

 

[Orton]

He has Kagawa vibes the way he plays short passes and moves to different position, but he's completely different player as Jadon should play from the wings, while Kagawa was pushed to the wings from Central position.

But in general I think on this forum everyone who is not a direct player is compared to Kagawa.

I think more in the square peg round hole sort of way. Not exactly the same type of player but both struggled to adapt to the premier league. Time will tell whether or not he will prove to be a success but so far, he’s been completely underwhelming.

 

[Borys]

I think more in the square peg round hole sort of way. Not exactly the same type of player but both struggled to adapt to the premier league. Time will tell whether or not he will prove to be a success but so far, he’s been completely underwhelming.

I completely disagree. Sancho is not struggling to adapt to the premier league, he's playing quite good but in completely disjointed team. Also playing role that doesn't exactly fit his strengths, but that's how the manager wants us to play.
Sancho kind of players is exactly what this club needs, we have enough direct players already.

It's others (Rashford, Bruno) who need to adapt, not Sancho.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I feel the same.

I just avoid the mediocre thoughts on Sancho by believing I must have just not payed attention.

This explains quite a lot. You’ll sit in the Rashford threat defending on all fronts but can’t see the talent of Sancho right in front of you? Very strange.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

Easily our best attacker yesterday, thought he looked sharp and actually managed to retain possession. Needs to play around some better technical players to shine.

 

[GMoore23]

2 goals and 0 assists in 19 appearances. A major flop so far and next season will be make or break for him.