Manchester United’s move for Jadon Sancho feels like it will eventually get done. German newspaper BILD reported Borussia Dortmund are making their transfer moves on the basis that Sancho’s move to United will go ahead.
One day, hopefully, the Sancho deal will get signed off and United will be able to unevil the winger. It could even happen this week.
It is fair to say though, the move has lost a little bit of lustre compared to last year, rightly or wrongly.
If United announced the move for Sancho in August 2020, when expectation was at it’s peak, the move could have ‘broken the internet’. Now in 2021 there will still be huge celebration when Sancho signs, but it won’t have quite the same buzz.
Here is a look at three reasons why United’s ongoing move for Sancho has lost a little bit of lustre…
Time and hurt feelings
For most supporters, the Sancho saga has simply dragged on too long. Expectations were high last summer and fans were left disappointed.
Fearing and expecting more failure, many fans simply don’t want to get hurt and led on again. ‘Wake me up when it’s done’, is the attitude.
That’s understandable. United have a habit of sucking the joy out of what should be an exciting transfer move, by dragging out negotiations to quiblle over every penny and installement.
There is no surprise factor here. United fans know the player we are getting. Sancho feels like an inevitability.
The overriding feeling may simply be ‘relief’ rather than ‘happiness’ when United close this deal.
There’s no doubt United blew it last summer. This would be making up for that, but there’s no getting away from the fact Sancho will be arriving a year too late.
Other priorities
Over the past year other priorities have begun to show up in the Manchester United team.
Midfield is a major conundrum with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preferred duo of Fred and Scott McTominay failing to convince fans.
Paul Pogba may need replacing if he does not sign a new contract, while questions remain whether United have the right make up of players at centre-back.
An alternate option at right-back seems to be on the agenda, along with some shuffling in goal dependent on who will be first choice.
Anthony Martial’s backward step increases the need for a long-term solution up front. Edinson Cavani is a high quality option, but just for one more season.
Amad’s arrival has given United hope on the wing. Sancho is still necessary because of both his quality, and ability to play on both flanks.
But it certainly feels like less of a priority than a year ago.
The longer the Sancho deal drags on, the more time is wasted which could be spent looking at other positions. Once Sancho is signed, United can move onto addressing these.
If United can get it all done, we will be in a strong position. But we would be kidding ourselves to assume Sancho will fix all of our problems. Last year there was a sense that he might.
Second guessing
So much time that has elapsed during the two-year Sancho saga and this has meant supporters have had more time to question the potential move for Sancho.
Along with concerns the club has more pressing problems in other areas, there are worries whether Sancho will be a hit in England.
After all, Shinji Kagawa and Henrikh Mkhitaryan had prolific records for Dortmund before signing with United. You can’t blame fans for being nervous about how he adapts.
Sancho was not even named on the bench for England at the weekend against Croatia. Should fans be concerned?
It’s probably better for United he is keeping a low profile. But the excitement would be a lot higher if he was starting for Gareth Southgate’s side and scoring goals.
For a look at why United fans should be very excited about a move for Jadon Sancho, read here…
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