Pundits agree over Man Utd’s Jadon Sancho concern amid transfer links with winger

Jadon Sancho has come into criticism from two former managers amid a lack of production at Old Trafford.

The winger arrived at Old Trafford on a £73million deal in 2021, and he has made 39 league appearances since, scoring five times. Sancho has started 10 Premier League games this season, but he has managed just two goals and an assist, with Marcus Rashford catching the eye so far this term.

That form led Gareth Southgate to omit Sancho from his England squad, and with Antony missing out of late through injury, there are questions over where Sancho fits into Erik ten Hag’s plans. In fact, according to former United star Jaap Stam, the English winger could be a concern amid transfer links with Cody Gakpo.

“Man United need a winger that can deliver a certain quality of football because Jadon Sancho isn’t delivering yet,” Stam told Football Betting.

“Marcus Rashford is doing very well, Antony has come in and has scored a couple of goals but I think he needs to step up because he’s not performing to the standard I know he can. To be consistent, Man United need forwards who are performing in almost every game and that’s why you need to have options because if someone isn’t performing, then you’re able to bring someone else in who can.”

The comments come amid criticism of Sancho from former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood, who told Sky Sports: “I don’t think he’s in his (Erin ten Hag’s) thinking but he needs to improve dramatically to get into his side,” he said. “I’m not sure he’s his first choice - Antony will be his first choice. It looks like he plays too safe for me. Why doesn’t he go by anyone anymore?

“I want to see him getting at people, taking it right to heart and having a go, trying to make the difference. A lot of players can get the ball, play it safe and just balance up off the left-hand side. Get at them… commit defenders… go past players and draw penalties. That’s what I want to see him doing - that’s what he was doing for Dortmund. That’s why he was bought by Man United. At the moment, his confidence is low and he’s just going to get worse and worse. He needs to take a reality check.

“Individually, sometimes you need to reset he’s got to find out why they brought him to the football club. He was dropping people on their backsides, going past them and dropping his shoulder. He was scoring goals. At the moment it looks like he’s playing too safe because he’s too worried about giving the ball away.”