Rio Ferdinand perplexed at Jadon Sancho’s performances

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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has been left perplexed by Jadon Sancho‘s performances under an improved Erik ten Hag Red Devils side.

Time is running out for the 22-year-old to force himself into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup plans.

United’s number 25 will probably be named in England’s provisional 55-man squad, but he is likely to be one of the 29 names to be cut from the Three Lions’ provisional squad ahead of next month’s tournament in Qatar.

After signing for the twenty-time league champions for £73m from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the 23-time England international has eight goals and five assists from 52 matches.

Prior to securing his big money move to Old Trafford, the former Manchester City youngster scored 50 goals and laid on 64 assists for the Bundesliga giants.

Rio Ferdinand perplexed at Jadon Sancho’s performances

Sancho has started ten of United’s 11 Premier League games this season, but he seemingly remains bereft of confidence and is struggling to bring consistency to his game.

During his time at Signal Induna Park, Sancho became one of most sought-after wingers in European football.

But after a difficult maiden campaign at the Theatre of Dreams, Sancho is struggling to replicate the same devastating form he consistently showed in Germany in a Ten Hag side which is packed with attacking talent.

His first season on M16 was heavily disrupted by managerial changes and being part of an unhappy disruptive dressing room.

But Ten Hag is creating a team and culture that should be seeing Sancho impose himself on matches and grabbing games by the scruff of the neck.

Speaking on his FIVE podcast, Ferdinand was at a loss when trying to explain why Manchester United weren’t seeing the Sancho that thrived at Dortmund.

Ferdinand said: “He’s got to get to the by-line, I don’t think his confidence is there – the swagger when he walked through the doors at Old Trafford is not the same swagger I’m seeing now.

“I don’t know what it is, I’m trying to put my finger on it because the team is actually getting him into good positions.

“I saw it at Southampton away and I’ve seen it in the last few games where the ball gets to him, and the Jadon Sancho I know and have seen getting him one-v-one on the corner of the box is like dreamland, but then he’s just coming back out, playing backwards and recycling the ball.

“I’m thinking this isn’t you man.”