Jadon Sancho Can Have A Big Impact In The Second Half Of Manchester United’s Season

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 23: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Jadon Sancho of Manchester United in action … [+] during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on January 23, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United via Getty Images

Jadon Sancho’s last appearance for Manchester United came at the end of October. Since then, Erik Ten Hag has allowed the Englishman the time and space to come back with a clear mind.

It has not been made public as to why Sancho fell so drastically out of form after a good start to the season, but Ten Hag felt it was necessary for the winger to go and train with coaches he trusts over in the Netherlands during the World Cup.

Sancho, who was signed by Manchester United in the summer of 2021 for a fee of £70 million, has not had the best of times since arriving back in the North West. In his first season at the Red Devils, he was caught up in a changing-of-the-guard with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer going on a run of awful form, that cost him his job, and Ralf Rangnick’s nuclear approach in the second half of the season.

There has been mass instability since Sancho arrived at Manchester United, which has not helped him thrive on a consistent basis. In some games, such as against Liverpool earlier this season at Old Trafford, the former Borussia Dortmund winger stepped up and looked as confident as ever; but it has not been easy for Sancho to rise to those levels.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United walks out for the second … [+] half during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Reading at Old Trafford on January 28, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United via Getty Images

Within six months Ten Hag has turned the club upside down and put in place two things: work ethic and discipline. He has made multiple big decisions that could have backfire by dropping star player Marcus Rashford for being late, as well as deciding that Cristiano Ronaldo was not a starting striker in his system. But both have worked to his favour and given him further autonomy on the way he runs the team.

Given Rashford’s form in 2021/22 was not too dissimilar to what fans have seen of Sancho’s earlier this season, there is hope that he too can make as an impressive comeback as his national teammate.

Sancho has shown throughout his time at Dortmund what a special player he can be. Combining primarily with Erling Haaland, Sancho recorded a combined total of 36 goals and assists in 38 appearances during the 2020/21 season.

The arrival of Antony has allowed Sancho the time and space needed to build himself back up again without the pressures of being forced back. Ten Hag has made it abundantly clear that he will not rush Sancho back into the team, and will only feature once he is wholly convinced it is the right thing to do.

Manchester United’s English midfielder Sancho (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA … [+] Champions League Group F football match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United, at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on November 23, 2021. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP) (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Fans were predicting that return to have been against Reading FC in the FA Cup – in which they won 3-1 – but Sancho was not named in the squad. However, with two weeks training under his belt, and a 3-0 scoreline as comfort heading into the second-leg of the EFL Cup against Nottingham Forest, there might not be a better opportunity to allow Sancho some minutes.

Manchester United need a fit, firing and hungry Sancho to ease the pressures on Rashford’s shoulders of being the sole finisher in the team. With a colossal amount of fixtures on the horizon, the England winger will be needed throughout in helping the team stay fresh while maintaining high standards.

Fans are counting down the days to see Sancho’s return and will hope the revival in his career is as pleasing to see as Rashford’s has been this season.