Jadon Sancho scored Manchester United’s goal in the FA Cup at the weekend on his comeback to the side.
Sancho’s performance was a positive on a tough night for the Red Devils. In addition to scoring, he hit the bar, and constantly asked questions of the Boro defence.
Rio Ferdinand believes United are beginning to see the best of Sancho, and he believes the winger’s strong showing was a direct result of the improved football United are playing under Rangnick.
The last four matches, away at Villa, away at Brentford, and then at home to West Ham and Middlesbrough have not all been wins, but they have been games United have largely dominated and shown really positive signs.
Ferdinand told Vibe With Five: “The game played to his strength, the passing and movement, some rhythm in the team. If there’s no rhythm Sancho is not as good and effective. That’s what his problems been.
“The players have got to identify what hes good at. Some thought he would come in and take the ball from the edge of his box to the goal. That’s not his game. He’s about rhythm, one touch passing, playing and moving and getting people off balance with a feint.
“He hasn’t been able to do that because the system at Man United has not worked yet. It’s left him in a vulnerable position.
“[If] he joins another team that have got a locked down way of playing, a true understanding, a possession based team he thrives. Dortmund had a way of playing which was fundamental in allowing them to perform at their best.
“United have invested in some players, still searching for identity philosophy way of playing, makes it difficult for players coming in, let alone those that are still there.”
Sancho is likely to start against Burnley tonight and could get a run of games with Mason Greenwood out indefinitely.
The winger appeared to score in United’s previous match with Burnley, only for the strike to go down as an own goal instead after it took a hefty deflection.
Sancho’s goal in that game came from the left wing, like his strike against Middlesbrough last week.
Rangnick has had two months with the squad now and while the finishing against Boro was poor, the performance had positive aspects to it, with United attempting 30 shots at goal.
The challenge is to start being ruthless in front of goal, and if Sancho can chip in regularly it will take pressure off the strikers. He is getting there, and with good coaching, he and the whole team will improve.
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