It makes no sense for the former Borussia Dortmund star to remain on the sidelines at Old Trafford, especially behind his floundering compatriot
"This club needs good players, and one thing is for sure: Jadon is a terribly good player," Erik ten Hag said before Manchester United's pre-season win over Rangers in July. "I hope that the click still comes and that he will contribute to our success."
Ten Hag also insisted he had "drawn a line" under his differences with Jadon Sancho, who was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund after publicly criticising the Dutchman at the start of the 2023-24 campaign. Sancho reminded the world what he is capable of during his six-month spell with BVB, which should have been enough to earn him a clean slate at Old Trafford, where he is still under contract until 2026.
But so far, Sancho hasn't been given a chance to "click" into the United line up. The 24-year-old didn't even make the bench for United's opening two Premier League games against Fulham and Brighton, which has led to renewed speculation over his future.
United just about managed to see off Fulham, but their 2-1 loss at the Amex Stadium raised more questions over Ten Hag's credentials. Sancho might have been able to provide some much-needed quality in the final third, unlike Marcus Rashford.
Sancho hasn't lived up to expectations since his £73 million ($96m) move to United in 2021, but he deserves better than this. How can Rashford still be a guaranteed starter when he's offering so little? Sancho has every right to feel betrayed by Ten Hag after seeing the promise of a fresh start extinguished so quickly, and would be wise to force through a transfer before the summer window slams shut.
Getty Mixed messages
Sancho should have recognised that the writing was on the wall when Ten Hag opted for Rashford to start on the left-wing against Manchester City in the Community Shield final. Rashford missed a couple of glorious chances for United before being replaced by Sancho in the 83rd minute, which was too late for the former Dortmund star to make any real impact, and he didn't look comfortable when stepping up for a penalty in the subsequent shootout, inevitably seeing his effort saved by Ederson.
City went on to clinch the victory, and Sancho was painted as the villain. Surprisingly, though, Ten Hag came out to defend him, telling reporters: "I had no doubts about him. He's a very good penalty-taker and today he missed, but that's part of the game. I am sure in the future he will take penalties."
Unfortunately, Sancho was then laid low with an ear infection, though he was still available for selection for United's season opener against Fulham. "He could play, but we made the choice. We preferred [to have] others on the bench. But that can change. It will change," Ten Hag explained when quizzed on Sancho's absence from the squad. "We can't play everyone the same, you see today how important the subs are. Sometimes frustrating for the player, but it's about team, club, there will be more players in this position, we expect them to fight for the club."
Sancho did travel for the trip to Brighton on Saturday, only to miss out on a spot in the final 20-man list once again. “I had a choice to make," Ten Hag said to . "We had some issues, we need a full squad. He's one of them and needs to compete for his position."
It's fair to say that the United boss has been sending out mixed messages. Clearly, Ten Hag does have "doubts" about Sancho; or perhaps still harbours some bitterness after their explosive fallout.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesHolding United back
Rashford doesn't have that problem, despite risking Ten Hag's wrath with his own share of disciplinary breaches last season, on his way to scoring just eight goals in 43 appearances across all competitions. He was as ineffectual as ever in United's 1-0 win against Fulham at Old Trafford, but still played the full 90 minutes and then retained his place away at Brighton.
Amad Diallo carried the Red Devils' main attacking threat against the Seagulls as Rashford wandered around aimlessly, managing just 23 touches during his 65 minutes on the pitch – according to . The England international only attempted three take-ons (completing one), lost possession seven times and failed to deliver a single cross before being brought off for Alejandro Garnacho.
United instantly improved, and might have won the game had Garnacho not been denied a late goal due to a bizarre incident that saw summer signing Joshua Zirkzee deflect his shot into the net from an offside position. It doesn't take a genius to work out that Rashford is holding this team back.
Amad has earned a run in the starting XI, but Garnacho should be the first-choice option on the right flank, where he delivered his best performances yet in a United shirt last term. Ten Hag could just switch Amad to the opposite flank because the Ivorian is versatile enough to play anywhere across the frontline, but Sancho should also be in the reckoning.
At his very best, Sancho is unstoppable, as he proved in the Champions League semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain in May. He could at least offer value as an impact substitute for United, but doesn't even get a look-in because of Ten Hag's baffling faith in Rashford.
(C)Getty ImagesSancho's best option
According to , Sancho made up his mind to leave United after being left out of the Fulham game, which is completely understandable. He's fighting a losing battle with Ten Hag, and enduring another season of misery in Manchester would only harm his development.
It appears that Sancho has two options with regards to his next move: Juventus or Chelsea. The Blues are reportedly 'exploring' a late swoop for the Manchester City academy graduate, and would be willing to send one of their players to United in order to sweeten any permanent deal.
Sancho has the ability to succeed at Chelsea, but he'd be swapping one chaotic dressing room for another. Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk are all now competing for attacking berths under head coach Enzo Maresca, who is going to have to experiment for some time before settling on his strongest line up.
Juventus would be a far better fit for Sancho. Thiago Motta was installed as the new manager at the Allianz Stadium after guiding Bologna into the Champions League, and his forward-thinking tactical approach could bring the best out of Sancho.
Motta needs a proper playmaker behind Juve's main target man Dusan Vlahovic, someone who can manufacture space between the lines and looks to turn or play quick one-twos with his back to goal. Sancho is two-footed, meaning he could operate on either flank in Motta's 4-2-3-1 system, or even as a No.10, and he's capable of adding a new dimension to Juve's forward ranks with his brilliant dribbling skills and intelligent passing.
The Bianconeri are said to be pushing for a loan deal while United favour a permanent £40m ($53m) agreement, but perhaps a compromise could be reached. Including an obligation to buy makes sense for Juve if they want Sancho in before the August 30 deadline. It would be a calculated gamble that could pay off ten-fold if Sancho replicates the kind of form that saw him emerge as one of Europe's top prospects at Dortmund.
Getty Images Sport'Not a youngster anymore'
Sancho still has so much potential left to unlock, but the same cannot be said for Rashford. The 26-year-old hit his peak in 2022-23, reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career to help United clinch the Carabao Cup and a return to the Champions League.
That campaign now feels like an anomaly. Rashford hasn't been nearly consistent enough in his 10 seasons with the Red Devils senior team, and now appears to be stuck in a rut.
Getting his reported £325,000-per-week wages off their books would have been the smartest move amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain, but United refuse to accept Rashford has reached his ceiling already. He's even receiving extra training sessions from club legend and new assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, with the goal of improving the timing of his runs in behind.
There was no evidence of that effort reaping any rewards against Brighton, as he was caught offside twice. On one of those occasions, Rashford saw a goal ruled out because he went far too early to try and meet an Amad cross at the back post.
That lack of spatial awareness left England and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer furious on 'Match of the Day', as he ranted: "On today's evidence and in the game against Fulham, it's not been anywhere near good enough. He's not a youngster anymore. He has to understand the position and look across the pitch when you can see the whole of it, you shouldn't be offside then."
Rashford didn't get into England's squad for Euro 2024, and it's difficult to see him ever playing for his country again at this point. Being dropped is the only thing that might help shake Rashford back into life, but Ten Hag is blind to the fact he has completely lost his way.
