Yep, we bought in James who is looking more comfortable for the left side, spending 100m for Sancho that has potential to end up in this direction isn't the smartest move.
Jadon Sancho| Staying at Dortmund for now
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Isnt the point that he will interchange with Rashford/Martial so they can change positions all the time?
I see this interchanging positions pops up all the time...
How often and effective have you actually seen both Martial and Rashford being effective for the right side in duration of a game? Please don't pick up 1 or 2 moments out of the whole season where Rashford scored and put in a good cross on the right inside channel...
Yeah but Sancho most typically plays as a right winger and is one of the best players in the world in this position. He might buck the trend in being a right footed, right winger but his productivity is based on him on the right. Rashford, Sancho and James all prosper (using it loosely for James) as inverted wingers whereas Sancho prospers as a classic right footed, right winger/forward. The added benefit of course being that should Rashford get injured, he can switch flanks which will allow Greenwood to come in for something a little different. Sancho could probably even provide cover for Bruno at a serviceable level if we were stuck. Don't think it'd be worse than Lingard or Mata.
Sancho is extremely good on the right, but he's arguably even better on the left so I can understand some trepidation. His already very good stats improved further when he started playing on the left, although without watching much of him myself this season I'm not sure how much of that improvement happened because he switched sides and how much was just natural improvement as he matures (or the team as a whole being better so he got more chances). It's probably the thing I'm most interested in hearing about from the Dortmund fans on the forum. What are their opinions of him being better on the left, right or really doesn't matter?
Sancho has played 32 games this season across the left, right and centre.
He has played 14 as RW, 7 as LW and 11 at AM. There is no reason at all he will come and play on the left. He's just as productive on the right as he is the left, and he'll be one of those players who floats all over the attacking areas anyway.
If we sign him we'll have possibly the most exciting front line in world football. Whilst being young they are all productive, fluid and (as we can see with Rashford and Martial pushing each other this season) hungry to be the best.
I don't understand how people don't get excited about it.
I feel this transfer is inevitable just like the Maguire and Wan-Bissaka transfers were. He just completely fits the profile Ole is looking for, and he is a great talent. There's no way we are going to look beyond him.
Yeah there is no doubt that he would be coming into a team that has definitely got more creative spark than the one Pogba joined in 2016.
I agree that Zlatan scored a lot of goals and Mkhitaryan did bits but wasn't the player we all hoped that he would be.
If you think we are spending all of 120m on Sancho and instead want us to focus on other positions who would you buy realistically?
Think of it like this. Most of us also want another CB to partner Maguire, however, we won't go and buy Mats Hummels simply because we need a CB. Why? Because even though Hummels is a top player, him and Maguire wouldn't be the best fit. Both are slow and would be best with a fast partner beside them.
In the same vein, some are worried that even though Sancho is a very good player, he may not be the best fit for the RW due to the way wide forwards work, ours especially. With that said, it could be that he ends up being the player to buck the trend but the trend is there for a reason, and because of that trend, some are a bit worried.
With all that said, since he's a top player and English I would be very happy if we got him, but I'm still unsure about how well he fits on the right and how well his skills would translate.
That’ll naturally be our strategy, which is on occasion disappointing and frustrating . There’s something to admire about Madrid’s approach with Perez. We want player A, here’s the money no fuss and no stress.
I believe Sancho will be £90 million plus add ons taking the deal to £110 to £120 million. Probably similar to Dembele’s deal.
I think we can generate £50 to £60 million in player sales. Smalling is already rumoured to be gone on a permanent deal to Roma for about £18 million if rumours in Italy are to be believed. I’m sure we can generate more funds by selling Lingard, Dalot, Rojo and Jones. Sanchez is the wild card, who knows what Inter want to do with him but apparently conte views him as a reclamation project.
If we can generate the funds from sales, spend big on Sancho and then immediately turn to a CB. Skriniar for £50 to £60 million, as it seems he’s out of favour of with Conte. Not sure if we’ll have enough for Koulibaly, if city’s interested. Assuming we can get the sales in that range above, we’re looking at a net spend of roughly £100 million.
You lot should just stop at what position is his "best". First and foremost, he has the technical quality and ability that puts him in the top bracket of world football. He has top top talent and that is what matters, well before his optimal position. If you're an outfield player who has undeniable talent, you're going to find a position. That is a "problem" United haven't genuinely had in a long time. These discussions have been going on for two years, just much more serious now. Ole and club has seen where he fits within the club. Rashford, Lingard, Maguire all have their knowledge about him as a player and teammate within England.
Seriously, stop overanalyzing about this. If Sancho is signed, it is the correct call. It will be up to him and the coaches to get the best out of him and his teammates.
Seriously, stop overanalyzing about this. If Sancho is signed, it is the correct call. It will be up to him and the coaches to get the best out of him and his teammates.
I think this RW or LW debate is a bit moot. Even if he is marginally better on the left, he's still pretty awesome on the right and in case we decide the go in for a more inverted left footed RW, that candidate may still be very expensive and not half as good as Sancho.
Besides, Sancho is still very young and his game will still evolve further. Sure, he'll start the season at RW but will end up playing an awful lot of LW and AM as well. A right footed RW may also help us in keeping the width and helping out in defence whenever needed
This will also be good for greenwood development as it will allow him to start concentrating on becoming a CF without having all the pressure on him
Besides, Sancho is still very young and his game will still evolve further. Sure, he'll start the season at RW but will end up playing an awful lot of LW and AM as well. A right footed RW may also help us in keeping the width and helping out in defence whenever needed
This will also be good for greenwood development as it will allow him to start concentrating on becoming a CF without having all the pressure on him
He fits our team like a glove. We've got 2 goalscorers cracking 20 goals a season this year.
We've also got creative players in Pogba and Fernandes who like to chip in with goals.
We need someone to stretch the pitch on that right side so we don't become too congested in that central area.
There's also so many things he's got in common with our other forwards that will allow him to blossom here. His pace means counter attacks will be lightning quick no matter which forward player gets the ball. His eye for a pass means more opportunities for our other forwards, something they've not had for god knows how many years from that right hand side.
Add his age, friendship with Rashford, nationality in there and I've got no idea who people would rather we sign for that side.
Hummels is a terrible analogy he's nowhere near the same player he used to be and if he was he'd be a great addition to the side regardless of his pace.
When Dan James stretched the pitch for us on the right side, we struggled because the forwards found it harder to interchange; however when Greenwood played and always cut inside, we found our play smoother and more fluid. If Sancho were to play on the right for us it's important he comes inside and plays fluidly, and doesn't take it upon himself to stretch the pitch.
I agree with the sentiment of him being a great fit generally; tactically it remains to be seen. Since it's a lot of money, I'd prefer it was a sure thing especially given it's a Dortmund attacker. In any case we'll see when we get him.
Not sure where this narrative about Dortmund attackers not being sure things because of their system comes from when the likes of Lewandowski and Aubameyang have been 2 of the most prolific goal scorers of the last decade.
Haaland also seems to be in that same mold, just because Kagawa and Mkhitaryan might not have worked out for us doesn't mean their forwards are cursed or something when they go elsewhere
Pulisic is more similar to Sancho than those other 2 and a more recent example who's been doing quite well for Chelsea.
Sancho grew up within the English football developmental system so I don't doubt at all that he'd be able to adjust to the Prem
Haaland also seems to be in that same mold, just because Kagawa and Mkhitaryan might not have worked out for us doesn't mean their forwards are cursed or something when they go elsewhere
Pulisic is more similar to Sancho than those other 2 and a more recent example who's been doing quite well for Chelsea.
Sancho grew up within the English football developmental system so I don't doubt at all that he'd be able to adjust to the Prem
Cant be giving credit to Dortmund for Haaland now, thats ridiculousNot sure where this narrative about Dortmund attackers not being sure things because of their system comes from when the likes of Lewandowski and Aubameyang have been 2 of the most prolific goal scorers of the last decade.
Haaland also seems to be in that same mold, just because Kagawa and Mkhitaryan might not have worked out for us doesn't mean their forwards are cursed or something when they go elsewhere
Pulisic is more similar to Sancho than those other 2 and a more recent example who's been doing quite well for Chelsea
If we could get Sancho, and were still looking to spend BIG money on a player - then I’d go after Camavinga personally. A different ‘available’ player in one of our positions of need.
I wasn't but I mean he's scoring just as much for them as he was in Iceland...
Was just saying that this idea that their forwards would struggle elsewhere has as many examples of the opposite happening as there are of that. It all depends on the player individually imo moreso than the system they come from.
A lot of people thought Bruno would struggle in the Prem after tearing it up in Portugal but that hasn't been the case yet, genuine quality is quality regardless of where a player plies his craft
Iceland?
His last team Red Bull Salzburg plays in the Austrian Bundesliga, and he's from Norway (played at Molde before RBS).
(I get a bit defensive about players from my country.
)My excuses, had Iceland on the brain for some reasonIceland?
His last team Red Bull Salzburg plays in the Austrian Bundesliga, and he's from Norway (played at Molde before RBS).
(I get a bit defensive about players from my country.
So much elite young talent coming from Norway these days, really hope we'll be seeing them during the Euro's.
Was hoping Haaland would've chosen to link up with Ole before he joined Dortmund but I can't say it hasn't worked out for all sides so far
He would suit or pass and move, quick counter attacking team perfectly. His dribbling, passing on the move and 1-2's are what makes him special. That is exactly what we need!
He can play both the left and the right to a high level, he literally fits like a glove.
Couldn't agree more.
His decision making, final 3rd/in the box passing would be so awesome against park the bus teams.
On the counter too obviously.
Imagine Sancho's dribbles and slipping the ball into Martial. Tap ins galore! He will score 30 goals no problem with that sort of service.
True, on counter attacks it doesn't matter as much as against already set defences, which is what we'd be facing a lot of the time.
It could go either way. He fits stylistically; positionally I'm not certain. I think you'd be taking something away from his game by playing him on the right. The same way you wouldn't play Hazard on the right regularly even though he'd do a good job there since he's a quality player.
I'm just glad that even if he ends up not being able to score as much due to playing on the right, Greenwood is still there. Greenwood fits stylistically AND positionally (being a left-footed right forward) so if it were up to me I'd have just given him the backing and gotten a cheaper left footed RW. But since we've been RW deprived for so long, I can understand the desperation to sign a player like Sancho.
Sancho played his whole first season on the right hand side, scored and setup plenty.
Yes he will naturally score more by cutting in from the left, but we've got Rashford for that already.
Watch the below video and you'll see plenty of examples of what he can do from the right. Often he will shoot more with power or perform cut backs once he gets to the line.
I know it is low down the list on that video but that bit of outrageous skill and finish against Barca is my favourite. He hit the bar in that game too and really made a difference after coming on.
I also liked the set up for Mario Gotze where he runs at the defence then just casually sets him up.
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Isn't it 'the forwards struggled' because Dan James doesn't provide good "stretching the pitch" for us on the right side? Thing is it's too easy for defenders to deal with James, so they just don't bother and focus more on stopping M & R.
Plus, Martial and Rashford just don't know how to consistently attack from the right. Rashford is slightly better. If Sancho came in, he'll provide better quality of attacks which will help improve Rash and Martial who interchange with one another on the left and centre. Sancho's threats would also pull more players away from the centre, meaning more spaces for the duo R & M to exploit.
The idea is really good. Get Sancho at all costs!
Honestly I find our forwards to be too congested in the centre when Greenwood cut in and interchange positions with the other two. It's a mess. Combine that with Bruno who is already there. The solution (but not really) adopted by the coaches recently is to stick Bruno to one of the wing when the trio interchange and mingles at the centre. Terrible idea as this leaves our defensive FBs to be the two lefts that stretch the wings and provide lower quality services.
Martial, Rashford and Greenwood have interchanged regularly since the restart...
He is talking about interchanging on the right side and the fact they don't do it much on the right. Whatever you see is Rashford from the left coming inside and Martial going out to left. Or greenwood coming inside but then AWB outside, which would be perfectly fine if he was Dani Alves. Point is whatever happens is always in the middle or left. Nothing on the right other than AWB.
If only we were being linked to a player who could solve this problem permanently...
Yep. That's why I wouldn't mind if he was our only signing this summer.
I like Camavinga too but BIG money? No thanks. He's just 17 and hasn't prove himself in any big stage yet. Too risky. Remember Renato Sanches?
Sancho is worth BIG money because he has done it in the CL.
P/s: the problem with James is not whether he stretch or cut inside or interchange position with Martial and Rashford. Not his movement. It's just his end product. He can't dribble past any defender, can't keep the ball if pressed, can't pass, can't shoot with his left, his crossing is below meh. Not to mention his decision making. No team would have to worry if we play him on the right unless it's a counter attacking situation.
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It's down to James being lack of top class quality. I remember when James hit his good form, we admired our front three of Rashford, Martial & James. Replace the quality with Sancho, we'll get more consistency. Sancho is capable to play across left, right & middle which tells you he offers lot of variety in his game, so not sure what makes you think we will stick him on the right for only one purpose to stretch the pitch all the time.
Beside, this lot of money probably worth of 2 players. People want us to sign Grealish as Bruno's backup. Well, instead of spending 50m on RW & 50m on AM, we'll spend 100m on one player who can cover both spots as well as the left wing spot. There is a good value of the fees.
Agreed. This discussion about him not fitting in on the RW, where he has played the vast majority of his senior career, is ludicrous. There's rarely been a player we've been linked with more suited to our current players or playing style.
Surely people can’t be serious in now wanting to spend elsewhere instead of on Sancho ? Why ? Because Greenwood has shown huge potential since breaking through ? People realise that once Ighalo’s loan ends the most likely scenario is Greenwood plays central and is in a fight with Martial for that role right ?
We’ve not bought a natural right winger since Valencia in 2009 and not had one at all since Nani left with Valencia becoming a right back. Sancho has consistently been one of the best right sided attackers in Europe for TWO seasons and is ours if we get the price right yet now people would rather we didn’t sign him because Greenwood CAN play there and obviously expect him to play every game yet not burn out, this place blows my mind sometimes.
Greenwood has the potential to be the best forward we’ve seen come through the academy since Giggs and everything points to him fulfilling that potential BUT he can’t be expected to play a every game of a whole season with how many games there are and play as he has done, we’ll burn him out then rip him to shreds when he’s not playing well and complain when Dan James comes in.
Yes we need a pacey centre back because Bailly is prone to serious lapses in concentration and lack of a footballing brain whilst Tuanzebe has had injury problems and not kicked on from his loan spell at Villa. Yes we need a defensive midfielder so Matic can have his game time managed as we know how poor he is when tired and used to much and yes we know we need an attacking midfielder in case (god forbid) Fernandes picked up an injury BUT none of these are as important as signing Sancho and fixing a hole that we’ve basically had since Cristiano Ronaldo left.
We’re not going to fix all of what’s needed in one window as we’ve spent years somehow spending hundreds of millions of pounds to actually get worse and the current climate due to the pandemic has certainly not helped BUT signing Sancho IS THE PRIORITY this summer, we may get more luck and see Tuanzebe or young Mengi and Garner do a Greenwood as they have the potential which would save us millions but if we only sign one player this summer it NEEDS to be Sancho.
We’ve not bought a natural right winger since Valencia in 2009 and not had one at all since Nani left with Valencia becoming a right back. Sancho has consistently been one of the best right sided attackers in Europe for TWO seasons and is ours if we get the price right yet now people would rather we didn’t sign him because Greenwood CAN play there and obviously expect him to play every game yet not burn out, this place blows my mind sometimes.
Greenwood has the potential to be the best forward we’ve seen come through the academy since Giggs and everything points to him fulfilling that potential BUT he can’t be expected to play a every game of a whole season with how many games there are and play as he has done, we’ll burn him out then rip him to shreds when he’s not playing well and complain when Dan James comes in.
Yes we need a pacey centre back because Bailly is prone to serious lapses in concentration and lack of a footballing brain whilst Tuanzebe has had injury problems and not kicked on from his loan spell at Villa. Yes we need a defensive midfielder so Matic can have his game time managed as we know how poor he is when tired and used to much and yes we know we need an attacking midfielder in case (god forbid) Fernandes picked up an injury BUT none of these are as important as signing Sancho and fixing a hole that we’ve basically had since Cristiano Ronaldo left.
We’re not going to fix all of what’s needed in one window as we’ve spent years somehow spending hundreds of millions of pounds to actually get worse and the current climate due to the pandemic has certainly not helped BUT signing Sancho IS THE PRIORITY this summer, we may get more luck and see Tuanzebe or young Mengi and Garner do a Greenwood as they have the potential which would save us millions but if we only sign one player this summer it NEEDS to be Sancho.
If United are to buy Sancho Champions League is critical as it pays for the costs of his fee. If this doesn't happen I would think Sancho will sign a shiny new extended contract with Dortmund. United is good leverage for any player/agent to negotiate a new contract. Either way, it's a win-win scenario for Sancho.
Can’t see Sancho staying at Dortmund unless clubs can’t afford him.
Certainly don’t think he’s angling for a new contract, not least when whatever Dortmund offer him will probably be doubled here.
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