Six reasons Solskjaer must start Jadon Sancho against Villarreal

Manchester United’s team selection against Villarreal presents him with an interesting dilemma over new signing Jadon Sancho.

Does the United boss go with Sancho even though he has not been at his best so far since joining the club?

The answer should undoubtedly be ‘yes’. Here is a look into why the £73 million man needs to start this week…

He’s fresh

Sancho was unlucky not to feature at the weekend. He was left out of the starting line-up, and then two defensive injuries limited United’s substitutions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went with Edinson Cavani and left Sancho on the sidelines.

The positives for Sancho is that he is fresh and ready to make an impact in this game. He got his chance to play under the lights against West Ham last week and that was a useful tune-up for him ahead of this game.

Manchester United v West Ham United - Carabao Cup Third Round — Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

The type of game United signed him for

It’s easy to forget thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, but Jadon Sancho was the big summer signing Manchester United fans were desperate for.

The very thought of leaving him on the bench for a must win Champions League game seems odd now, and would have seemed unthinkable at the moment his signing was sealed in July.

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While it has not been a spectacular start for Sancho, United need to trust him, and give him the opportunity to be the player we want him to be.

This was the type of game United signed him for, so play him, rather than bench him.

The unknown factor

Villarreal know what to expect from Manchester United after the Europa League final.

Playing Sancho is an advantage for United because of the unknown factor he brings. Their defence will find him to be a new challenge.

Add that to Ronaldo starting up front and the Spanish side could have a tough night against a fresh attack to the one they faced back in May.

Invention can break Villarreal

Villarreal are one of the most organised sides in Europe with Unai Emery’s well drilled defence accomplished at shutting teams down.

These are the situations in which you need line-breaking dribbling players who can drag players out of position and create space.

Sancho successfully dribbled into the final third more than any player in the Bundesliga last season, and created the most chances.

This is the type of invention United need against a resilient, stubborn defence, and this type of player needs to be on the pitch and not on the bench.

FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-NEWCASTLE — Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Ignite his United career

Sancho’s United career is yet to really get up and running. A big Champions League night can change all that.

The winger’s first Champions League game for United ended prematurely when he was substituted on 35 minutes after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s red card.

This match is an important second chance for Sancho. Imagine what a big, decisive moment in this game could do for his United career.

A big goal or an assist in this game to decide it would really ignite Sancho’s Old Trafford spell. It would help him relax a little, and after the miserable Europa League final, he would instantly become a United hero.

BSC Young Boys v Manchester United: Group F - UEFA Champions League — Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Take a real swing

Philosophically there is a big question for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Villarreal will be tough opponents whoever plays, and there is no guarantee Sancho starting will mean United win.

But surely he would rather go down swinging, with his big money summer signing on the pitch?

The murmurs have already started in the media, comparing Sancho’s intermittent usage with Donny van de Beek. Solskjaer can spare himself some criticism by being bold and starting the winger and taking an attacking approach.

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