What do we do about Sancho? Now and longer term

[RaulitoElCrack]

Joao Felix. Rafael Leao

That’s what I think of Sancho. He’s too Soft.

Exactly this. You can talk about best position, form, injuries whatever but he has not shown any signs of having the fight in him to compete. Anthony showed it in the first 10 mins of his debut, more than Sancho has done since his time with us.

He is too meek and timid and easily loses confidence.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I think people are way too eager to completely give up on players, especially young ones — you see it with Sancho and Amad now, you saw it with Dalot (someone who never even showed the potential that those two did) earlier.

Sancho has been largely underwhelming during his time here even though he's had a good spell last season and scored a couple of important goals in this one. Yet his biggest problem seems to be his mentality, not his technical deficiency — the lack of aggression, willingness to run at defenders and general intensity. We finally have a brilliant manager in place — and we've only had him for what, 4 months of proper training? Can't you guys wait a little bit? And don't give me the Borussia argument — he wasn't playing in a well-oiled machine that was Klopp's Dortmund and he did perform outstandingly there, often despite the run of the game.

We don't need to make a decision now — we're not going to sell him this winter anyway. And I wouldn't say that he's actively hurting this club at the moment like, say, Cristiano does — the worst case scenario, he's left on the bench or subbed off. If we won't see any improvement — and something tells me that we will, then ten Hag will let the management know.

Yes to all of this

 

[Red the Bear]

Anyway even if you think he has potential and was one of the more talented youngsters back then the contract that we handed to him was utter idiocy, making him the second best paid player in the square for what, just such a dumb move and I hope we'll never make those kinds of mistakes again, we're basically at the mercy of him coming good because we as hell won't be able to find any buyers unless we try to pull a Barcelona.

 

[nakpodiareuben]

Why dont TH swap him and Sancho around during a match? Has he ever been tried in the middle?

He lacks the movement and pace for a cf.....He is kind of slow

 

[RORY65]

This. Sancho would look a lot better with a true striker he can link up with, Rashford lacks the movement and interplay. He needs to figure out how to play with Shaw though and how to impact a game without his preferred players around him.

There's always some excuse, before it was that he wasn't a right winger but would look great on the left. It's all well and good to say he needs a striker to link up with but he's not linking up with anyone and he's not offering anything as an individual.

When we actually have a striker the obvious move is to shift Rashford, who actually looks sharp and dangerous but clearly isn't a number 9, to the left and Sancho be dropped to the bench. He still has plenty of time but he has to be much better himself rather than us continually blaming someone else for his own failings.

 

[Rawls]

No-one thinks Sancho has been playing well but there is reason to believe that there are reasons outside of his control as to why he's not playing well (Although there are reasons why he himself if not playing well that are within his control):

1. Poor form: This isn't really that much of a concern, players go through hot spells and cold spells, no reason to worry much on this front

2. Lack of athleticism: He's a really good technical dribbler but he completely lacks any burst. If you don't have burst, you're not going to be able to beat your man. I also think that when you're playing out on the wing, you're a lot more isolated so you kinda have to be able to win 1v1s. He was able to get away with his lack of explosiveness in the Bundesliga but not in the PL. I actually think he'd be better as a #10 than as a winger because he's technically gifted, has great vision, and is less boom-and-bust than Bruno (And also a better carrier of the ball from deep)

3. Lack of intensity: This is the biggest issue. As some Americans like to say, he just hasn't got that dog in him. I'm not saying he can't improve on this but it's impossible to be a top-class player without playing with high intensity. Funnily enough, he can do it; when he came on versus Omonia at OT, he brought real energy to the game. But he needs to show this game in, game out in order for him to be a successful Utd player (Or a successful player anywhere for the matter)

4. Bad fit with personnel: Because of his lack of athleticism, he's reliant on link-up play to create. If you look at him when he was at Dortmund, I'd say that most of his best moments came less from beating a man 1v1 but more from clever link-up play with other players. If the LB doesn't make a run for him, there's one link-up play option gone. Bruno prefers to go for the killer pass rather than link-up play and he'd rather play with a runner on the left rather than Sancho. Rashford and Ronaldo don't help either as they don't like linking up that much and aren't that good at it; Martial is a big loss in that regard. If we improve our personnel going forward with more players who like to link-up, then Sancho will directly benefit

5. Bad fit with (current style) of play: Don't get me wrong, we've seen some real improvements in how we play and out build-up play has come on leaps and bounds. But if we take the Newcastle, Spurs, and Chelsea games as a whole, how many good chances did we really create? Even in the Spurs game, a lot of it was shots from outside of the box. Our game in the final third needs some refinement; as this part of our game improves, so will Jadon.

I think when you put it altogether, it's not all doom and gloom. Sancho can be a very good player for us, maybe not a properly elite producer but a very good player all the same. Maybe that requires a position changes, maybe it requires Sancho to improve mentally, maybe it requires the rest of the starting XI to improve around Jadon. But there's no need for knee-jerk reactions; this process was always going to take time!

 

[11101]

There's always some excuse, before it was that he wasn't a right winger but would look great on the left. It's all well and good to say he needs a striker to link up with but he's not linking up with anyone and he's not offering anything as an individual.

When we actually have a striker the obvious move is to shift Rashford, who actually looks sharp and dangerous but clearly isn't a number 9, to the left and Sancho be dropped to the bench. He still has plenty of time but he has to be much better himself rather than us continually blaming someone else for his own failings.

He has looked twice the player when Martial is there, and Martial isn't a particularly brilliant striker. Rashford (and Ronaldo) makes it very hard for our other attackers to click due to their lack of passing, movement and finishing. Sancho has issues to solve but we need to set him up to succeed first.

 

[OrcaFat]

He’s a bit like Mata in some ways. He has a classy technique and an attractive style. Against some teams he is effective. Unfortunately he has some of the same deficiencies as Mata.

He’s young and can be developed to play better to his strengths but I don’t see how his weaknesses can be overcome.

He’s a useful squad player who can develop into a player who can compete for a place with the best of them but his selection will always be subject to tactics and the opposition. He’ll never be a “first name on the teamsheet” guy.

Conclusion: We should recruit more forwards but not sell him.

 

[mu4c_20le]

There's always some excuse, before it was that he wasn't a right winger but would look great on the left. It's all well and good to say he needs a striker to link up with but he's not linking up with anyone and he's not offering anything as an individual.

When we actually have a striker the obvious move is to shift Rashford, who actually looks sharp and dangerous but clearly isn't a number 9, to the left and Sancho be dropped to the bench. He still has plenty of time but he has to be much better himself rather than us continually blaming someone else for his own failings.

No need for excuses, there is only one reason. We're a graveyard for exciting attacking talents.

I'm surprised Dortmund haven't issued a ban on selling bright prospects to us.

No doubt Sancho would look like a ballon d'or candidate at Pep's setup.

 

[Strootman's Finger]

I think people are way too eager to completely give up on players, especially young ones — you see it with Sancho and Amad now, you saw it with Dalot (someone who never even showed the potential that those two did) earlier.

Sancho has been largely underwhelming during his time here even though he's had a good spell last season and scored a couple of important goals in this one. Yet his biggest problem seems to be his mentality, not his technical deficiency — the lack of aggression, willingness to run at defenders and general intensity. We finally have a brilliant manager in place — and we've only had him for what, 4 months of proper training? Can't you guys wait a little bit? And don't give me the Borussia argument — he wasn't playing in a well-oiled machine that was Klopp's Dortmund and he did perform outstandingly there, often despite the run of the game.

We don't need to make a decision now — we're not going to sell him this winter anyway. And I wouldn't say that he's actively hurting this club at the moment like, say, Cristiano does — the worst case scenario, he's left on the bench or subbed off. If we won't see any improvement — and something tells me that we will, then ten Hag will let the management know.

We've only had that manager for 4 months, however in that 4 months aside from Sancho, and Ronaldo, the entire team has shown progress. If anything Sancho has regressed this season, because he did have a decent spell when Ralf first came in. You can't use something as an excuse that has affected everyone equally, because the fact they're all responding just further illustrates Sancho's not.

 

[RORY65]

He has looked twice the player when Martial is there, and Martial isn't a particularly brilliant striker. Rashford (and Ronaldo) makes it very hard for our other attackers to click due to their lack of passing, movement and finishing. Sancho has issues to solve but we need to set him up to succeed first.

How many times has he actually played with Martial? Not enough to judge whether he's looked twice the player anyway. We need to set the team up to succeed, not an individual, and right now our 3 best attackers are Antony, Martial and Rashford.

 

[mu4c_20le]

We've only had that manager for 4 months, however in that 4 months aside from Sancho, and Ronaldo, the entire team has shown progress. If anything Sancho has regressed this season, because he did have a decent spell when Ralf first came in. You can't use something as an excuse that has affected everyone equally, because the fact they're all responding just further illustrates Sancho's not.

Rashford and Martial have gradually returned to their normal levels. That makes him slightly better than Ralf.

 

[RORY65]

No need for excuses, there is only one reason. We're a graveyard for exciting attacking talents.

I'm surprised Dortmund haven't issued a ban on selling bright prospects to us.

No doubt Sancho would look like a ballon d'or candidate at Pep's setup.

The Pep who sold him? He wouldn't get in their team ahead of Foden, Mahrez or Grealish based on what he's done thus far. Antony doesn't seem to be suffering from the same issues.

 

[gerdm07]

He’s technically very good which I think saves him. Mentality and physicality needs to change though. Just look at the difference to him and Antony in that department.

Too young to write off and I think he’ll benefit with a season under Ten Hag.

His technique lets him down often. Against Chelsea he misplaced at least 3 easy one-touch passes, about 5 yards away. Then there was the over hit overlap pass that was pretty easy for any professional. I read that's what made ETH make the sub. He also seems to misjudge going in on 50/50 balls with his touch not good enough as his dribble is nicked away most times.

I'm not sure he is very good technically based on this season.

 

[mu4c_20le]

The Pep who sold him? He wouldn't get in their team ahead of Foden, Mahrez or Grealish based on what he's done thus far. Antony doesn't seem to be suffering from the same issues.

Pep 'sold' him because he refused to sign a new contract

 

[LoneStar]

Well, for starters, we should learn to not give crazy wages to young talents. One, the money might get to them. Two, it's impossible to get rid of them profitably with massive wages.

We are better off hoping he somehow gets his act together and clicks moving forward. I would give him another season before I look to move him on.

 

[Slevs]

Reading the thread it's like "he doesn't have chemistry with Shaw, Bruno", "once we get a proper striker he'll do better", "needs a system to play well".

Its the same as the Pogba excuses. Needs better teammates, needs a system/preferred position etc.
The guy is mentally not there. We've tried him on the left and on the right, he's been terrible throughout his time here. Backpass Sancho, its like playing with 10 men with him in the team.

 

[kundalini]

His technique lets him down often. Against Chelsea he misplaced at least 3 easy one-touch passes, about 5 yards away. Then there was the over hit overlap pass that was pretty easy for any professional. I read that's what made ETH make the sub. He also seems to misjudge going in on 50/50 balls with his touch not good enough as his dribble is nicked away most times.

I'm not sure he is very good technically based on this season.

I agree. For a player that rarely seems to try anything ambitious, his technique doesn't look special in the PL. Simple short passes going straight to an opponent occurs far too often.

Anyway, see what happens this season. I'd give Elanga a chance until Martial returns then put Rashford on the left. If things continue as they have so far, then I'd sell for £40m if such an offer appeared in the summer; which seems unlikely to me. Probably stuck with Sancho for a few years as a back-up player.

It is incredible to think that Dan James was more productive in the PL for United than Sancho has been to date.

 

[arnie_ni]

He was class for dortmund in Europe as well so we can't just say it was the shite league, so there is definitely a top player there. I trust ETH will unlock it

 

[harms]

We've only had that manager for 4 months, however in that 4 months aside from Sancho, and Ronaldo, the entire team has shown progress. If anything Sancho has regressed this season, because he did have a decent spell when Ralf first came in. You can't use something as an excuse that has affected everyone equally, because the fact they're all responding just further illustrates Sancho's not.

It's still a relatively short spell for all players to show progress — every player has his own issues that different system, training etc. can either highlight or cover for. And Sancho needed to adapt to a new role (he started the season on the right) after Antony came in.

Sancho has actually shown some good form early on and, I can be wrong but I think it mostly coincided with 1. Martial being present (oh, glorious pre-season) 2. Sancho playing on the right with Dalot — not because he's better than Malacia or Shaw, but because his movement better suits Sancho, he's like a less talented version of Hakimi. His best game of the season (not including pre-season) was against Liverpool where his cool head helped us get ahead & he was surrounded by runners from all sides.

With everyone being fit I'd imagine that our frontline would look like Rashford - Martial - Antony for most of the season but I wouldn't be too surprised if Sancho manages to get his starting spot back (especially with Martial's injury issues).

 

[arnie_ni]

We have him and Rashford, why would we need to do anything right now?

Just play whoever’s on form.

And then who plays up top?

 

[harms]

Reading the thread it's like "he doesn't have chemistry with Shaw, Bruno", "once we get a proper striker he'll do better", "needs a system to play well".

Its the same as the Pogba excuses. Needs better teammates, needs a system/preferred position etc.
The guy is mentally not there. We've tried him on the left and on the right, he's been terrible throughout his time here. Backpass Sancho, its like playing with 10 men with him in the team.

It's not just Pogba excuses. It's the usual excuses for any underperforming player if we exclude doubts about their talent and attitude (and Sancho certainly has issues with the latter but it doesn't mean that it's his only problem, especially since we've seen him performing elsewhere).

 

[davidmichael]

I think once/when Martial is fit our front three will Antony on the right, Rashford on the left and Martial through the middle with Sancho as back up to both out wide which will mean less pressure and allow him time to adapt to ETH’s system.

Once we’ve got rid of Ronaldo in January or the summer and brought a dependably fit striker of ETH’s choosing we’ll see a better Sancho when he plays and a better front line in general, right now we’re suffering from Martial rarely being fit meaning Rashford plays up top rather than wide as Ronaldo isn’t good enough.

 

[Messier1994]

Honestly I can't even tell what the problem is with him. Can't be arsed? Low confidence? Only looked good in a poor League? I'm genuinely not sure which of these it is.

Just very overrated when we signed him, poorly scouted. Watch Leon Bailey. Bundesliga is a great league, but you are not per default a star in the PL just because you are a star in the Bundesliga.

Like why should he be a star in the premier league? He is fast but hardly has Robben speed. Fairly skilled, but he isn’t exactly world class with the ball either. Mediocre ball touch when shooting and making the long pass. Like there is no reason to expect him to be a world class player, never have been. He wasn’t for Dortmund either.

But — with that said — I think that Sancho is a good fit in ETHs system. But ideally he is the 2nd option at LW, with the added benefit of also being able to play RW. Sancho should have his best years infront of him, I think that he especially can at a little strength, become a little bit more explosive. Work on his shot. If he does that he could even become a solid starter for a contender.

But he isn’t a 75m player nor even remotely worth the wage he is on. And it’s really important than ETH and co can manage his expectations on himself. Confidence is really important. He will never live up to a 75m price tag. If he plays more games than he sits on the bench he should be really proud.

 

[JohnnyLaw]

And then who plays up top?

Was talking more in the medium-long sense. In the meantime we’ll just have to make do.

There’s also the possibility of giving Garnacho a go.

 

[nakpodiareuben]

There's always some excuse, before it was that he wasn't a right winger but would look great on the left. It's all well and good to say he needs a striker to link up with but he's not linking up with anyone and he's not offering anything as an individual.

When we actually have a striker the obvious move is to shift Rashford, who actually looks sharp and dangerous but clearly isn't a number 9, to the left and Sancho be dropped to the bench. He still has plenty of time but he has to be much better himself rather than us continually blaming someone else for his own failings.

I supported that notion because of his pre season performance. He was genuinely good. We still see glimpses but he seems not to want to take responsibility.

 

[Andycoleno9]

He will be great for us. He is just in bad form right now

 

[Revan]

Still have to see anything great from him to make me believe that he has the tools to become one of the best (which is what I heard people saying). He seems more or less the same quality (and style) as Kagawa, who killed it for BVB but was underwhelming for us.

 

[MUFC OK]

Won’t be able to sell him on those wages. See how he does the rest of the season a db review in the summer.

 

[11101]

Reading the thread it's like "he doesn't have chemistry with Shaw, Bruno", "once we get a proper striker he'll do better", "needs a system to play well".

Its the same as the Pogba excuses. Needs better teammates, needs a system/preferred position etc.
The guy is mentally not there. We've tried him on the left and on the right, he's been terrible throughout his time here. Backpass Sancho, its like playing with 10 men with him in the team.

It's also the same as the excuses made for Martial, Fred, Varane, Dalot, Shaw and others, who all look excellent now they have decent players around them.

There is truth to it. Sancho needs to improve, no doubt, but no attacker is going to thrive when they have Rashford and Ronaldo playing statues.

 

[alexthelion]

Came here for £73m and on big wages to 2026
Has barely had a good game for us in that time, just glimpses here and there
He's had long enough to “adjust to the league” so that excuse won’t wash anymore (also, see Antony)
He didn't even play well in our “best performance in years” against Spurs - we won despite him - and was dreadful yet again yesterday
Worse than anything else - he just doesn’t look arsed in the slightest.

So, what do we do this season?
And what do we do longer term? Do we, for example, write off the majority of the fee and offload him in January or the summer?

Is it worth moving Rashford to the left and trying Sancho in the middle?

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I would try see if Dortmumd accept half of what we paid to take him back

 

[HookedOnAPhelan]

I would try see if Dortmumd accept half of what we paid to take him back

Doubt he'd want to anyway.

 

[Andersonson]

Another hype-buy from the club. He will be sold in 5 years time and everyone will agree he was a waste of money. He doesnt have the qualities needed to be a top player in the premier league

 

[Red Rash]

Too early to write him off. He is only 22 and there is definitely a very good player there. At the moment he seems like a player low on confidence, a goal or two should help to lift this.

Also needs to be more aggressive. Hopefully he learns this from Casemiro, Martinez and Anthony.

 

[Red Shorts]

If you want a proper answer: actually learn how to use him.

Very simple.

I back this over any suggestion of selling him. He's not in his 30s and nearing retirement ffs, and people should know he's a very talented player that has the potential to succeed here.

 

[The Mitcher]

He will be great for us. He is just in bad form right now

We said that last season.

 

[Sandikan]

It is incredible to think that Dan James was more productive in the PL for United than Sancho has been to date.

What metric are you using for this?
James scored 9 in 70+ appearances, Sancho has 8 in 52.

 

[Biggins]

Still a young player so I still hope that he improves significantly. However, we don’t have a good track record with Dortmund players so far…

 

[V.O.]

In a way he's the opposite of Bruno. If he doesn't feel confident, he'll play it safe every time and avoid all risk. Bruno will keep spamming first time hollywood balls and flicks around the corner all game long and keep doing until one comes off even if he's given the ball away the last 20 times he's tried. Neither extreme is great, but I guess you'd usually prefer the player to err on the side of taking care of the ball.

What was especially worrying about the Chelsea game is that he seemed to be targetted. He actually gave the ball away while trying to be safe with it and pass backwards several times because Chelsea knew he was going to dither and go backwards before he did and positioned somebody to intercept his typical backwards 'out ball'.

I'm not going to write him off because you don't get the goals and assists he did in the Bundesliga and the CL at such a young age if the talent isn't there. He seemed to bag plenty against high quality opposition as well, he wasn't purely padding his stats against Paderborn and Augsburg.

I think we need to at the very least wait until we see him play with a forward he can actually link up with and play off of, either when Martial is actually fit for a while or we get somebody else in who can do the job. That's probably especially important as we're not playing with an overlapping fullback on that side, Malacia and Shaw usually seem to be being told to tuck in.