[mctrials23]

We aren't close to a team that can utilise him properly yet. People would be saying the same thing if we magically had Silva from City in our team. Some players are team and system players. They aren't players that thrive in an individualistic side. EtH will ultimately build a side that suits him but currently we are still in the very early stages of EtH making a resilient team. The flair and attacking side of this team will take a front seat once EtH is happy with our ability to control games at the back.

Currently he is playing with Rashford who has awful close control and is the complete opposite of him along with Bruno who always wants to be making a killer pass. Sancho likes one twos. Little pockets of space and nice interplay. Until we start dominating teams and controlling the possession in the final third we won't get the best from him.

 

[Bebestation]

We aren't close to a team that can utilise him properly yet. People would be saying the same thing if we magically had Silva from City in our team. Some players are team and system players. They aren't players that thrive in an individualistic side. EtH will ultimately build a side that suits him but currently we are still in the very early stages of EtH making a resilient team. The flair and attacking side of this team will take a front seat once EtH is happy with our ability to control games at the back.

Currently he is playing with Rashford who has awful close control and is the complete opposite of him along with Bruno who always wants to be making a killer pass. Sancho likes one twos. Little pockets of space and nice interplay. Until we start dominating teams and controlling the possession in the final third we won't get the best from him.

This is starting to remind me of how people talk about Van De Beek.

 

[Rossa]

.

He's not slow, but not fast either (not winger-fast), certainly not Saka level. I never fancy Sancho chances in winning one-on-one from standing still or over a distance, he thrives in those spaces in between but wide-playmaker is pretty accurate description of him IMO.

Saka isn’t that fast. Certainly not in terms of top speed. Hardly seen him win or engage much in longer foot races. He caught Malacia flat footed a few times early on, but after that Malacia controlled him fairly well one on one. Sancho is comparable, but he needs more intensity and not be so silky smooth all the time.

 

[Freak]

I’m disappointed with him thus far. He does all the silky stuff well without it actually leading anywhere most of the time. Needs to be more productive.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

2 goals in 6 games, calm down everyone.

He is a quality player and he will get better, as we have Antony to stretch play out on the right now, leaving more space centrally and on the left.

 

[Fortitude]

Fitness is a great concern, his conditioning for a guy his age is terrible, a bit of a disgrace actually given the money he is on.

I am quite concerned about that; he cannot expend anything like the same amounts of energy as others otherwise he’s cooked inside a half. Did he have Covid?

 

[Josh 76]

This is starting to remind me of how people talk about Van De Beek.

Oh yeah, Van De Beek. Forgot about him!

 

[Borys]

Saka isn’t that fast. Certainly not in terms of top speed. Hardly seen him win or engage much in longer foot races. He caught Malacia flat footed a few times early on, but after that Malacia controlled him fairly well one on one. Sancho is comparable, but he needs more intensity and not be so silky smooth all the time.

I disagree with Saka comparisons, there are plenty examples when he goes for a duel (either over a few yards or long run) and he wins quite a lot of them. May not be his biggest strength, but it's in his locker for sure.
For Sancho, he only beats players with nice footwork but defenders will usually catch up on him if he doesn't release the ball early.

I feel like he should be better in making some space for himself to shoot or cross, but he doesn't seem to be doing that either.

I think for that reason he was much more effective in Germany. At United he seems reluctant to go into those duels and I can understand why.

It's not a direct criticism, he's a different kind of player who has some limitations. The question if he can overcome them (improve fitness, agility etc) or he has to work around it. He still will be very effective for us I'm sure, it was to be expected he will be a bit meh in counter attacking system anyway.

 

[sillwuka]

It's all or nothing with Sancho and that's an issue, he will either put in a 8/10 performance with a goal or a 3/10.

 

[Stacks]

We aren't close to a team that can utilise him properly yet. People would be saying the same thing if we magically had Silva from City in our team. Some players are team and system players. They aren't players that thrive in an individualistic side. EtH will ultimately build a side that suits him but currently we are still in the very early stages of EtH making a resilient team. The flair and attacking side of this team will take a front seat once EtH is happy with our ability to control games at the back.

Currently he is playing with Rashford who has awful close control and is the complete opposite of him along with Bruno who always wants to be making a killer pass. Sancho likes one twos. Little pockets of space and nice interplay. Until we start dominating teams and controlling the possession in the final third we won't get the best from him.

Silva performed for Valencia before City so he has shown he can do it in different situations and Silva is a far more intelligent player, better passer and also dribbler. Not a good comparision the old "system" rebuttal. Also who were all these amazing teammates at Dortmund? United Sancho is England Sancho and England have plenty of players who can play in a "system".

2 goals in 6 games, calm down everyone.

He is a quality player and he will get better, as we have Antony to stretch play out on the right now, leaving more space centrally and on the left.

Even when 1 on 1 and with space he doesn't exactly terrify defenders

It's all or nothing with Sancho and that's an issue, he will either put in a 8/10 performance with a goal or a 3/10.

Literally never seen him do this and this is a more apt description of Rashford

 

[2cents]

It's all or nothing with Sancho and that's an issue, he will either put in a 8/10 performance with a goal or a 3/10.

I feel the exact opposite, like whether he's contributing the odd goal or assist or not, he's always on the edge of games. He's been pretty consistent in that throughout his time here. Underwhelming.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Even when 1 on 1 and with space he doesn't exactly terrify defenders

As we gel as a team, his ball retention and quick passing will help us keep the ball and link play. ETH will like that.

 

[Stacks]

As we gel as a team, his ball retention and quick passing will help us keep the ball and link play. ETH will like that.

we have no idea what Eth will like/want as he didn't ask for these players. Donny does this stuff and isn't getting a look in

 

[Frank White]

I feel the exact opposite, like whether he's contributing the odd goal or assist or not, he's always on the edge of games. He's been pretty consistent in that throughout his time here. Underwhelming.

Agree. Genuinely can't remember a game of his where he was a 8/10. As of recently he's upped his work rate and he started to contribute more in terms a goals but even then he still goes missing for huge portions of the game.

 

[Stacks]

Agree. Genuinely can't remember a game of his where he was a 8/10. As of recently he's upped his work rate and he started to contribute more in terms a goals but even then he still goes missing for huge portions of the game.

thats because we don't play tiki taka

 

[Skills]

thats because we don't play tiki taka

Not sure he's a tiki taka player tbh. Wingers in Pep's Barcelona were mostly playing off the ball - they were constantly moving or on the shoulder to get the ball in behind. He seems to want the ball to feet.

 

[Borys]

It's all or nothing with Sancho and that's an issue, he will either put in a 8/10 performance with a goal or a 3/10.

I'd say he's almost always a 6/10, plus every now and then a goal contribution. He doesn't do enough for a 7, and I don't remember him having 8/10 game, while he usually does most basic things right plus some work rate that will get him the 6/10.
He is pretty reliable player, just not really exciting. I think Antony will be very much different based on his descriptions and first half at United. I would expect Antony to swing between 4-8/10 if we're sticking to that metrics.

 

[Stacks]

I'd say he's almost always a 6/10, plus every now and then a goal contribution. He doesn't do enough for a 7, and I don't remember him having 8/10 game, while he usually does most basic things right plus some work rate that will get him the 6/10.
He is pretty reliable player, just not really exciting. I think Antony will be very much different based on his descriptions and first half at United. I would expect Antony to swing between 4-8/10 if we're sticking to that metrics.

I think Rashford will outshine them both

 

[youngrell]

Just needs a bit more aggression in his play to get more involved. He has fantastic ability and we see it now and then but it's not near enough to just do that every game. Seems too happy to be on the periphery a lot of the time.

 

[Doracle]

I'd say he's almost always a 6/10, plus every now and then a goal contribution. He doesn't do enough for a 7, and I don't remember him having 8/10 game, while he usually does most basic things right plus some work rate that will get him the 6/10.
He is pretty reliable player, just not really exciting. I think Antony will be very much different based on his descriptions and first half at United. I would expect Antony to swing between 4-8/10 if we're sticking to that metrics.

He is definitely not consistently 6/10 as he often has matches where he does nothing at all of note. I have rated him 5, 4, 7, 4, 7 and 6 so far and I’m very generous with my ratings compared to most on here (the 6 for yesterday was also extremely charitable as he was arguably our worst player but it was a good overall team performance so I rated no one lower than that).

 

[Marwood]

I've questioned his phyiscal courage from the start and still think its his big problem.

He's more an Arsenal player than a Man Utd player. If you know what I mean.

That said if you get the ball in the final third more his talent will make things happen.

 

[Borys]

He is definitely not consistently 6/10 as he often has matches where he does nothing at all of note. I have rated him 5, 4, 7, 4, 7 and 6 so far and I’m very generous with my ratings compared to most on here (the 6 for yesterday was also extremely charitable as he was arguably our worst player but it was a good overall team performance so I rated no one lower than that).

The point is all his performances are average, he rarely goes below certain level but also above. He also does some dirty work so that's +1 for me, generally is more useful defensively. Anyway I think we should hold judgment until we play a game suited to his strengths, same way like Liverpool and Arsenal was set up for Bruno and Rashford to shine.

 

[Blood Mage]

More of a midfielder than a winger. I think he'll end up as a no.10.

 

[Red Shorts]

I want to see him take more risks: shoot more often, try beat a man, play the 1-2s more.

I'd say he has had quite a good start to the season overall, but obviously would be more effective if he tried more of the above more often

 

[Doracle]

The point is all his performances are average, he rarely goes below certain level but also above. He also does some dirty work so that's +1 for me, generally is more useful defensively. Anyway I think we should hold judgment until we play a game suited to his strengths, same way like Liverpool and Arsenal was set up for Bruno and Rashford to shine.

We will have to agree to disagree as the difference between us seems to be that you regard his base level of performance as “average” when I regard it as “poor”.

I hope you are right that he shines against low blocks but I fail to see the basis for that. All his better performances for us have come in matches where he has had space and time and/or been able to counter-attack. So far as I can see, he has 0 goals and 0 assists against the teams against which you expect him to thrive in over a season playing for us.

 

[Frank White]

thats because we don't play tiki taka

What was Dortmund style of play when he was a star man for them? Anyway even if we buy into that excuse it shouldn't of excused his lack of work ethic off the ball, last year especially.

 

[Borys]

We will have to agree to disagree as the difference between us seems to be that you regard his base level of performance as “average” when I regard it as “poor”.

I hope you are right that he shines against low blocks but I fail to see the basis for that. All his better performances for us have come in matches where he has had space and time and/or been able to counter-attack. So far as I can see, he has 0 goals and 0 assists against the teams against which you expect him to thrive in over a season playing for us.

As a person who was sure Sancho will be one of the players who improve the most under Ten Hag, it certainly is worrying that he looks so.. replaceable?
On the bolded part-I think it's a bit extreme take considering we've played 3 games against top 6 contenders, two games which need to be forgotten, and Southampton was pretty even game as well.
Anyway, I'm worried for Sancho, but he did alright in the games so far considering the team is not playing to his strengths and yet he still got 2 goals and was involved in others. Imo the problem with Jadon is he doesn't look threatening on the ball through the wing, he is much closer to Juan Mata than what we would probably expect from a winger staying quite wide.

 

[Doracle]

I was referring to last season as well, where his contributions were goals against Chelsea, City and Southampton (on the end of a quick counterattack led by Rashford) and his assists were against Leeds (not exactly renowned for their defence) and Spurs. Appreciate last season was a car crash generally but it’s not surprising to me that his contributions tended to be in open/counterattacking situations. He hasn’t (yet) shown anything to suggest he’d be a key player in unlocking packed defences.

His opportunities are also now going to be reliant on injuries/rotation I feel, as Rashford and Antony will be the first choice wingers. I don’t think that will help him because confidence does seem to be a key reason we haven’t seen much of the Dortmund version of Sancho. I’m not sure how he will react to a bench role.

 

[Bebestation]

It’s great that we have Ten Hag as manager - because a player like Sancho will be needed to be evaluated and seen if he is a starter or a bench player for United.

 

[SoccerIsNotFootball]

I know Sancho from the Bundesliga and I found him extremely talented. As I saw the last Game against Arsenal I'm also a bit concerned. He didn't really show his qualities, I can't really remember an outstanding scene.

I guess he and Anthony just need consistent playtime to gain their forms and then they'll be exceptionall players.

 

[mctrials23]

Silva performed for Valencia before City so he has shown he can do it in different situations and Silva is a far more intelligent player, better passer and also dribbler. Not a good comparision the old "system" rebuttal. Also who were all these amazing teammates at Dortmund? United Sancho is England Sancho and England have plenty of players who can play in a "system".

Huh? You don't need amazing teammates to play quick, short passes in little triangles. Brighton are doing it very well this season and they haven't got a squad full of world class players. No idea why you keep quoting system either. It doesn't matter if England had peak mid-2000s Spain squad to choose from. If the manager wants to play with 8 defensive minded players out of 11 you probably wouldn't see much possession or fancy interplay.

Also, Dortmund have a very good side. Have done for years. They all know their roles and how to play and what is expected of them. They have had an identity for god knows how long. If you cannot see the difference in how Dortmund played with Sancho vs how United have used him so far then I don't know what to say.

 

[Andycoleno9]

So far he is a little meh for me. I admit that i have high standards set for him though. I expect from him to be our no1 player so i want to see much more from him.
Two nice goals though

 

[Shark]

It's easy to look at the fee Sancho commanded and not the fact that he's still a young and immensely talented winger still learning his trade. Two goals against Liverpool and Leicester and decisive ones at that and somehow he's been poor.

 

[Giggsy13]

I really thought he would be the player to benefit the most from ten Hag. 2 goals is a good return, but it’s his work rate off the ball, which is a problem.

 

[JJ12]

He’s been ok but I don’t think we are playing the brand of football that he is best suited to just yet.

 

[Escobar]

Aaaaand they found a new player to bash....

 

[zenith]

ETH is the best possible manager for him. As he continue to build a system with attacking patterns, teaming and building from the back, we will see Sancho get more and more into the game.

He already has two goals and I'm sure he'll continue to improve as the season goes on

 

[Stacks]

Huh? You don't need amazing teammates to play quick, short passes in little triangles. Brighton are doing it very well this season and they haven't got a squad full of world class players. No idea why you keep quoting system either. It doesn't matter if England had peak mid-2000s Spain squad to choose from. If the manager wants to play with 8 defensive minded players out of 11 you probably wouldn't see much possession or fancy interplay.

Also, Dortmund have a very good side. Have done for years. They all know their roles and how to play and what is expected of them. They have had an identity for god knows how long. If you cannot see the difference in how Dortmund played with Sancho vs how United have used him so far then I don't know what to say.

They had a number of different managers. Doubt the "system" is the same. Dortmund players are irrelevant when you correctly highlighted that mid table players can play triangles. That said Dortmund have always been pretenders and a tad overrated.

So the question remains.....what does he need to play like his Dortmund days?

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Won't be popular but when Martial is back fit, think Rashford benches Sancho.

 

[kaku06]

I think many were expecting him to be an explosive winger who dribbles, who runs at players, takes them on and beat them one on one which he never was. That’s Coman, Dembele, Raphinha, Antony etc for you. Although Sancho have done that too but never consistently in his career due to some apparent qualities he lacks and always lacked in his game to just do that. Now, that’s not a slight on the lad, he was never this type of player.

I don’t mean to be obnoxious but people need to understand what kind of player Sancho is. He possesses more qualities than your typical wingers. He is brilliant technically, has good vision, excellent at link ups, has maturity in his game, good finisher, is a good winger if not amazing, very good at play making. All these qualities make him a standout at the age of 22. The problem is piecing them all together to get a refined product. He needs to blend all these qualities in matches to suit certain situations to get the best out of himself.

He’s never gonna be your hugging the touchline winger. He’s a player who can be deadly as an inverted winger around the 18 yard box if he is coached by someone who realises his potential. Although I’m not his biggest fan but i can see he is very unique player who is a blend of so many things who is right now a mish mash of a player but if aligned properly can be world class and thank fully we have a person called Ten Hag who is amazing at that.