Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has explained his excitement when the deal was struck to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sancho was United’s big summer signing last year, before Ronaldo was signed on deadline day.
Even though Ronaldo cost just £12.8 million compared to Sancho’s £73 million price tag, there’s no doubt Ronaldo was the bigger signing.
Getting the chance to play with the five-time Champions League winner was an opportunity Sancho did not see coming.
Sancho says he was ‘buzzing’
Speaking in an interview with Manchester United’s club website, Sancho says he was ‘buzzing’, when the deal was struck for Ronaldo.
Sancho said: “I was buzzing. I look at him as a role model and he’s a great player. You look at what he’s done in the game and it’s outstanding.
“For a young player looking up to him, it’s a dream come true.”
The move for Ronaldo alleviated a lot of pressure on Sancho in his first season. The former Dortmund winger did not hit the ground running for United, but fortunately was spared a lot of criticism, despite United’s poor form.
Sancho’s link up with Ronaldo was sporadic, with a potential dream partnership not really clicking, although there were some good signs and positive moments.
The winger hailed the win over Tottenham, when Ronaldo struck a hat-trick, as his favourite game in a United shirt so far, commenting that the atmosphere at Old Trafford made it a memorable one.
The numbers were not really there for Sancho in his first season, but it was clear the talent is. Some of Sancho’s goals came in games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Villarreal.
He could flourish under new manager Erik ten Hag, and he will get an early chance to impress him. His recent snub from the England squad means he can link up with Manchester United when pre-season begins on June 27, and get an early start on trying to make his mark in 2022/23.
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