Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho was one the standout players in the win over Arsenal at the weekend.
Jadon Sancho knows he needs to produce this season after a difficult individual campaign last time around.
While his goal and assist numbers were a minor improvement on his debut campaign, Sancho has a lot of work to do to become the player the club hope he can be.
His pre-season has got off to a flier, with Sancho starting each of the first three games and scoring a powerful strike against Arsenal on Saturday night.
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Jadon Sancho earning praise
With no striker in the front three, Sancho was asked to lead the line, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony on either side.
Sancho did what was required of him, seizing the opportunity which came his way, and working hard on and off the ball.
His performance was praised by MUTV pundit and former striker Danny Webber, who discussed Sancho on MUTV’s The Debate.
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Webber said: “I thought he did really well, held the ball up well. He drew about five fouls in. You need that. You need that outlet.
“The one chance he got to run away from Gabriel, his pace was brilliant. A really promising performance.”
Sancho capitalised on a defensive error more than 40 yards from goal to sprint away from the Arsenal defence before lashing his shot high past a helpless Aaron Ramsdale.
It was a clinical strike in a situation where he needed to be. The goal will have lifted his confidence at the perfect time heading into the new season.
Sancho striker experiment
The Athletic report Erik ten Hag is experimenting with Jadon Sancho as a striker, amid a lack of current alternative options.
The situation has the objective of filling the striker spot, while also finding a role for Sancho, who is yet to find his best role in the team.
United are on the hunt to find a striker in the transfer market, but with Anthony Martial so unreliable due to fitness issues, Sancho has a chance to carve out a role.
If he plays like he did against Arsenal, and finishes with the same ruthlessness, then he has a chance.