Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick believes his side’s style of play allows Jadon Sancho to showcase his strengths and assets.
The former Borussia Dortmund man has been United’s best player since the Reds returned to action after the winter break.
With two goals in his last two outings at Old Trafford, the 21-year-old looks to be enjoying his football and his importance in the Manchester United side is growing with every passing game.
After a difficult start to life at the Theatre of Dreams following his £73m (BBC Sport) move, Sancho is beginning to torment defences with regularity and looks to be playing with a swagger once again.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Brighton, Rangnick was asked about Sancho in his pre-match press conference and the German spoke about his efforts to bring the England international to RB Leipzig.
Rangnick said: “I’ve known Jadon since he was 17 when he still played in England. I contacted him and his agent when he was 17, some four years ago, and tried to convince him to join us at Leipzig.
“In the end, he decided to go to Dortmund and had a great time there. I mean, his development there, he became one of the best wingers in the whole league, if not in Europe.
“And, yes, the step to a club like Manchester United was a big one, for anyone, and for a, at the time, 20-year-old, it was a massive, huge step.
“That this takes time is normal for me.”
Following a stop-start beginning to life as a Manchester United player, Rangnick believes the Red Devils’ style of play allows Sancho to be at his best from the left wing.
The 63-year-old also revealed that he has had chats with Sancho, telling him to trust his dribbling qualities in the “physical” Premier League.
The German added: “I think the style of football we play and we want to play fits perfectly to his assets and his strengths, coming from the left side.
“And, yes, I also tried to show him, to give him my support, tell him that he should have a go even in this league, even if it’s more physical and more competitive.
“And the same happened with other players who could or have played in those positions, and the same will hopefully happen in the next couple of weeks with a player like Marcus Rashford who also did well in the last couple of weeks.
“This is what it’s all about, to get the best out of the players, let them play in their best possible position, and at this club, it’s also helping them to cope with the pressure and the level of expectations that is different to that when he came to Dortmund at the age of 17 or 18.”
Sancho will be hoping to make it three goals in as many games at Old Trafford when Graham Potter’s Brighton come to town tomorrow night.
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