Jadon Sancho’s failure to take risks sees him blow chance he was lucky to get

Add as preferred source on Google

A cursory look at the statistics from Manchester United’s match with Omonia might suggest Jadon Sancho had a tidy and effective half. But his 100 per cent pass completion masked a player who appears low in confidence.

Sancho was hooked at half-time by Erik ten Hag after a poor 45 minutes which saw United go into the break 1-0 down after being caught on the break.

Sancho was one of two players at fault for Manchester United goal, along with left-back Tyrell Malacia, who was caught in possession. Both players were substituted at half-time by Ten Hag.

Malacia made the error which let Omonia in, but Sancho had a hand in it. He received the ball in the Cypriot side’s final third, before deciding to pass backwards to Malacia.

This decision from Sancho was an error which illustrated the problem with his game right now. He plays it too safe and is not taking risks or taking players on.

Sancho should have delivered a cross from the situation he was in. His decision instead to pass the ball backwards showed a player who is lacking confidence and lacks the dynamism Manchester United fans want or expect from a winger.

Sancho blows chance he was lucky to get

Sancho was one of Manchester United’s worst players in the 6-3 defeat to City at the weekend, offering nothing in the final third, with his defensive work also criticised.

He was lucky to retain his place in Cyprus, and needed a big performance to justify Erik ten Hag’s faith. He failed to produce.

Sancho may have completed 21 out of 21 passes against Omonia, but this turned out to be more of a negative with his overly cautious play.

He had one shot which he dragged wide, failing to provide a goal threat, in a match where United dominated possession.

The winger was recently left out of the England squad, and needs a strong month to change the mind of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate. He is not off to the best start.

Sancho has started the last two games and failed to perform. There is good chance now that he will be left out the line-up to face Everton on Sunday.