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Jadon Sancho could have a similar effect to that of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United

20 April 2020 by

Manchester United target Jadon Sancho has reportedly agreed almost every deal of a transfer from Borussia Dortmund back to Manchester, albeit the red half not the blue half, according to reports in the media. Based on this, it has made me think about the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo and whether the 20-year-old’s arrival could have a similar effect to Ronaldo almost 17 years ago.

This season, despite it being interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic, Sancho has made 35 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 17 goals and assisting a further 19, playing 2,791 minutes of football in the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions League, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup. Ronaldo was two years younger when he moved to United and in his final season at Sporting, he played 31 times, scored five goals and five assists.

United’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, has been trying to sign a world class Ronaldo-esque player for some time now. Back in the summer of 2013, post-Sir Alex Ferguson, Woodward tried to lure a number of stars to Old Trafford, including Ronaldo himself, a rumour that came back during each transfer window that followed. United have brought in some big names, none of really brought anything like Ronaldo did in 2003.

Sancho could be the player that Woodward has been dreaming about signing, despite making many mistakes along the way, in the form of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and most recently, Alexis Sanchez. The 20-year-old is already a star in the making and after establishing himself in the Bundesliga, the Premier League beckons for him.

The 20-year-old England international predominantly plays on the right-wing for Dortmund but has played on the left-wing and as an attacking midfielder. United need a player on the right-wing, as no matter how many times it is tested, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira and Daniel James have not quite cut it there. United need something better, not that James is a failure, he’s done well stepping up from the Championship to the Premier League this season.

Statistically, Sancho offers 1.8 shots per game, 1.9 key passes, and 2.4 dribbles, which is good for a player of his age. Obviously, this may not be something he transfers immediately at Premier League level and may need the time to settle. Compared to what is already at the club, Sancho would be an improvement, especially on the right-wing, which has been a problem area for United for what feels like forever.

United could well be two or three players away from building a team that is capable of achieving something on the football patch. For seven consecutive seasons now, United have failed to launch a title challenge, finishing second during the 2017/18 season, some 19 points behind the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City. The following season, United capitulated, finishing sixth resulting in Jose Mourinho being sacked in December 2018 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replacing him.

With the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Daniel James, and Bruno Fernandes during the 2019/20 season, plus the temporary addition of Odion Ighalo, United seem to be building something. With Paul Pogba rumoured to be signing a new long-term contract at the Old Trafford club, Solskjaer could well be building something special, which may set the club back on track to achieving the impossible, at least for the past seven seasons.

If United manage to sign Sancho, which seems to be hotly tipped at this moment in time, plus an addition in defensive midfield and possible an out and out striker, perhaps United will be better suited to mounting a title charge against current Premier League leaders, Liverpool, who look set to confirm their status as champions as soon as football restarts. If Solskjaer cab do this, I am sure he will be backed by those who have an agenda against him.

Filed Under: Feature, First Team, Managers, News, Opinion, Transfer Rumours Tagged With: , , , , ,

Two top players firmly on Manchester United’s radar this summer, two not so much as transfer plans unfold

19 April 2020 by

Manchester United are reportedly keen on kicking on with their transfer business this summer, or whenever the transfer window opens which could be delayed because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Two players that have been heavily linked to the Old Trafford club are Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Birmingham City’s Jude Bellingham.

There have been reports that United have been interested on Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez but according to Sky Sports reporter James Cooper, Rodriguez is not on the clubs radar as they see Jack Grealish as a better prospect and Kane is not on United’s list of potential signings, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

United have come a long way this season, despite not paying football for more than a month already, what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has started is something that could well be interesting over the next few years. The arrivals of Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes has seemingly worked well so far.

Sancho is a player that could have a massive impact at United and one that Solskjaer will be seeking to add to his squad to address the problems in the wide areas of the pitch. When he left Manchester City in 2017, I sensed that it could have been a mistake and now it seems that the noisy neighbours will regret it, especially if he comes to United this summer.

United already have a good set of attacking players with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, who is still developing. Sancho could help the trio score more goals and build the attacking power that Solskjaer will be looking to bring to the club. To say the Norwegian does not have a clue is amateurish at best and shows an agenda at play.

The 20-year-old will likely cost upwards of £100 million even with the Coronavirus likely to lower transfer fees for the foreseeable future. This is something that United can afford and the marketing opportunities that would become of a high-profile player like Sancho making the move would also be beneficial for both the player and the club.

Bellingham is a player that has been linked to United on numerous occasions so far and has had a tour of United’s Aon training complex in Carrington which also included talks with Sir Alex Ferguson and Solskjaer. Reports have suggested that the 16-year-old was ‘blown away’ with things at United, which could be a good sign.

However, Dortmund are interested in the player too and the German media suggest that it could only be a matter of time before they sign the best young midfield prospect in England but United feel they have done enough to make the decision a tough one. It is suggested that Solskjaer would have Bellingham as part of his first-team squad next season.

One thing is for certain, United has a plan, a sense of direction and a manager who is doing his best to guide the club back to glory. Some do not think Solskjaer is the man to do this but there is nothing to suggest that, only agenda of the muppets who continue to beg for another manager to be sacked, which is pathetic. Stability is what United needs.

Filed Under: First Team, Managers, News, Opinion, Transfer Rumours Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Jadon Sancho ready to accept Manchester United transfer this summer – reports

14 February 2020 by

Manchester United transfer target Jadon Sancho is reportedly ready to turn down interest from elsewhere to join the Old Trafford club this summer. Earlier this week, the media seemed to be full of reports suggesting that Sancho, a former Manchester City academy player, would be leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer. However, the reports, seemingly coming from Germany may have been more opinion that fact.

It is suggested that Sancho could leave if his £120 million price tag is met by a club this summer. It is a lot of money for a 19-year-old, who will turn 20 on the 25 March 2020. United have been interested in the player for some time now and it seems clear that manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a particular player in mind for the right-wing role at the club, which is where Sancho predominantly plays.

United should be able to pull out all of the stops in order to sign a player like Sancho, who will dramatically improve the attacking options at the club, which was something that needed to happen last summer with Romelu Lukaku leaving and not being replaced, also with Alexis Sanchez heading out on loan, with both players at Inter Milan, and not being replaced either – although Daniel James has seemingly replaced him.

A big name like Sancho could put United into a new era with the player being like a ‘poster boy‘ for the club, something that will be great on the pitch with marketing and commercial opportunities too, the latter being something that the club had focussed on too much recently. If the football is good and the club are achieving their goals, marketing and commercial opportunities will all fall into place without much effort.

It is stated that Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Liverpool hold an interest in Sancho this summer but with Chelsea already signing Hakim Ziyech from Ajax – a move which will be completed in the summer, a move by the club for Sancho could be ruled out with other areas on the pitch at the club needing strengthening. However, with Pedro and William out of contract, it could see them still in the running.

Liverpool are said to be hopeful that Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund connections could see that at an advantage in the chase for Sancho and reports state that the player is friends with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Rhian Brewster. Although, I see that more as clutching straws that anything that could be a deciding factor for a move this summer.

This could end up being a big bit of disappointment for Manchester City, whose manager, Pep Guardiola was powerless to stop Sancho from leaving for Dortmund in 2017, where he was seeking, and found, regular first team football. Looking back, it would seem to have been the best move for him, comparing his playing time with other academy graduates at the club, who seem to be out in the cold.

This season in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, DFB-Pokal, and the DFL-Supercup, Sancho has made a total of 29 appearances, scoring 15 goals and 17 assists – playing a total of 2,345 minutes of football so far. This is something United need to be getting from their players, despite the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood already doing well this season but Sancho could be much better.

Filed Under: Feature, First Team, Managers, News, Opinion, Transfer Rumours Tagged With: , , , ,

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