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Is Jadon Sancho the answer to Manchester United’s attacking woes?
- Manchester United are set to sign Jadon Sancho for £72.9 million
- United have been on the prowl to sign the English winger since last year
- But will Jadon Sancho solve Manchester United's problems up front?
Finally, Manchester United have successfully landed Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £72.9 million ($100 million).
This has been a transfer in the making for quite some while now. Since last year, United have been on the prowl to sign the English winger and bring him to Old Trafford. Finally, they have their man.
Reportedly, Sancho is set to sign a five-year contract once he completes a medical.
But will Jadon Sancho solve Manchester United’s problems up front?
For starters, let’s talk about Sancho’s exploits and what he brings to the table. The former Manchester City player has made 137 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund, scoring 50 goals.
Last season, although he suffered a torn muscle, he scored 16 and assisted 20 times in 36 appearances in all competition. That accounts to a goal or assist in every single appearance.
When we compare these numbers to the attacking options available at Manchester United, only two players in the whole squad can outdo them — Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford. Add to that both Fernandes and Rashford played a considerably higher number of matches when compared to the Dortmund starlet.
Although for a major chunk of the season manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been forced to play Marcus Rashford on the wings, it’s evident in his game, that the Englishman is far better suited to the central role.
Anthony Martial remaining injured and hitting a low when it comes to his form has certainly not helped the United side. Meanwhile, Dan James, who was bought from Swansea City in 2019, hasn’t been able to hit the highs expected from him. On most occasion when has been fielded in the starting lineup, his decision making in the final third has been questionable.
When it comes to Old Trafford’s new darling, Mason Greenwood, although he has shown immense potential and explosiveness, he too is more direct rather than a tricky winger who can widen the pitch.
This is where Sancho comes in. In Dortmund, playing with a proper centre-forward in Erling Haaland allows him to drift wide, use his skills on the ball and positioning off the ball to create ample space. With Edinson Cavani upfront for the Manchester side, Sancho could utilise his physical presence to make a similar impact.
What distances Sancho from someone like a James is his decision making in the final third. Although United manager Solskjaer is expected to use Sancho on the right flank, the Englishman’s ability to play on both the wings opens a window of opportunity for the gaffer.
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Sancho will become the second most expensive English footballer when he joins United, who signed Harry Maguire two years ago from Leicester for £80 million.
But his ability to turn up in big matches could well prove him worth the price tag and much more. Sancho scored twice in the German Cup final to inspire Dortmund to a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in May.
He was also named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2018-19 and 2019-20. The accolades are already piling up, but for United and Sancho, this could very well be the match made in heaven.
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