Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga and Raphael Varane have been nominated for Manchester United’s Player of the Month award for February.
David de Gea has won the prize for three months running but there will be a new recipient within the coming days.
That speaks to United’s recent improvement under Ralf Rangnick, in terms of the fact that de Gea is not needed as often to bail the side out and also that individuals are now stepping up.
Elanga’s eye-catching goals at Leeds and Atletico Madrid may mean that many expect him to scoop the award, but we think Jadon Sancho deserves it.
It has not been easy for Sancho to get his form, fitness and confidence back after a really difficult start to his United career, where of course the manager who brought him in was sacked within months.
The price tag creates a level of expectation but Sancho is now living up to it and has performed impressively throughout the month.
He has netted twice – at home to Middlesbrough and Southampton – and laid on two goals at Elland Road, where he was named man of the match by United legend Gary Neville.
During his brief reign, Michael Carrick called Sancho ‘terrific’ and the England international is showing it on a regular basis right now.
That is not to say that Elanga has not had a good month, but the penalty miss against Boro must be taken into account in a tight race for the monthly award.
The way the Swede has responded to that has been sensational, but that blemish puts Sancho just ahead. They have both been outstanding, and if Elanga wins, fair enough.
Meanwhile, Sancho has spoken to club media about learning from teammates including fellow POTM nominee Varane during his maiden Old Trafford season.
“I’m here with a lot of great players and I’m learning from the best. You’ve got Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane; all these guys have won major trophies and just being in the changing room with them gives you a blessed feeling.
“I’m definitely learning from them, on and off the pitch, especially in terms of their recovery and how they make themselves better. I’m taking in all the information I can and trying to put it into my game.”
Sancho is definitely in the best form of his United career and he and Elanga are the most dangerous wingers available to Rangnick right now as the business end of the season looms into view.
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