[Abraxas]

Approaching 2 seasons in, it's worrying - no doubt about it. If there were signs that he is about to have a strong end to the season it would be something to hold onto, better late than never but there are no obvious signs despite a lot of patience shown since he arrived.

His position in the market would be really worrying too. Other clubs would be looking at it and saying what on earth is going on that this guy can't play at any intensity, can't last 90 minutes and he had to be removed from the fold. Whatever the reasons are it doesn't make you want to punt significant money on him. So I don't even know if there's much prospect of moving him on except on loan.

I guess we just have to pray he does something quickly because everything else is really bleak to consider. Going into another season with no real expectation he can improve or taking a gigantic loss.

 

[Semigoodlookin]

We have seen plenty of players tear it up with Dortmund but fail when they move. I really thought Sancho would be one of those who would succeed. He wasn't just good with Dortmund, he was properly world class. His numbers and performances were top tier. And it was across multiple seasons and in the Bundesliga and Champions League. Everything about him screamed he was the real deal. Aside from his England form, which may have highlighted what would happen when he left Dortmund. However, it is not as simple as that because it is not like Dortmund played an absolute defined system unique to that club and he can only operate in that.

He is a strange one for sure. And it is increasingly becoming that the only person to blame is Sancho. You cannot fault the scouts as again, he was actually tearing it up for Dortmund in a way few young players do at any club. It is not the fault of managers as he has already had three at United and none of them can get a tune out of him. If he has something outside of football that he cannot get over right now, I feel for him and hope the club sticks with him. On the other hand, if this is a player who has been given almost unprecedented leeway to get it right and still cannot, he has to go.

By the way, anybody who was expecting him to come in and take games by the scruff of the neck and dominate, that was never going to happen. He was never that. What he was is a dynamic and controlling player who would be ideal for knitting the midfield and attack together while also throwing in a bunch of goals and assits. That is the Sancho we are not getting.

 

[kaku06]

One day the whole of caf would realise he is not upto the task and he is what he is which is slow, ponderous, timid, physically weak might be the weakest player in the team on top of being mentally weak also. Too scared too casual too content. Being technically good means nothing if you lack so many crucial things in your game especially in fast paced league with faster, stronger players who give you no space and time. You might be amazing in bundesliga even with all these flaws but it’s a different league which challenges you in different ways. I’m more sure about Garnacho and Pellestri succeeding with us than him.

 

[Cloud7]

When a manager makes as many allowances for a player as ETH did with that lengthy mid season time out and the player doesn’t look to have improved at all as a result, then chances are the manager will look to get rid of that player. Sancho’s days are numbered. Another one to add to the looooooong list of terrible transfers since Fergie retired.

Solid point. Once the backing is there from the owners ETH might be more inclined to get rid this summer as opposed to next summer. I didn’t even consider that ETH is probably more upset than any fans after he gave him that time off and he still looks like a nothing player.

 

[Cathy Ferguson]

His speed stats in Germany would have told a decent data scouting department he wouldn’t do well in England.

Keyword is decent.

We are stuck with him due to his wages.

 

[The Oracle]

I can’t help but think that the mental side of his game could possibly have been greatly affected by the penalty miss he had in the shootout for England in the Euro’s Final.

• Plays well for Dortmund
• Misses a penalty in the Euro’s Final
• Signs for United and after almost two seasons, still doesn’t show the performances that were on display at Dortmund

The thing that adds weight to this possibility, is that a week before the England 2022 World Cup squad was announced on 10th November 2022, Sancho was absent from our squad to face Real Sociedad on 3rd November, with his absence being reported as ‘illness’.

England’s World Cup squad which was then announced a week later on 10th November 2022, didn’t include Sancho – which was hardly surprising as he had not been involved in any of the 10 previous England International fixtures.

Sancho not going to the World Cup meant that he had no way of bouncing back on the International stage from his penalty miss at the previous major tournament (contrast that to the other two penalty takers who missed their spot-kicks in the Euro’s Final, Rashford and Saka, who were chosen for the squad and who would both go on to have a good World Cup – thus putting to bed their previous penalty misses).

Adding further weight to the possibility that that spot-kick miss is still affecting Sancho’s mental side of the game, is the fact that Erik ten Hag gave Sancho time away from the Manchester United squad to ‘Reset’.
Which meant that Sancho was not available for Manchester United’s squad from a week before the England World Cup 2022 squad was announced, all the way up to more than a month after the 2022 World Cup had ended, when he was back in United’s squad to face Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup on 1st February 2023.

Of course there are other possibilities such as the Premier League being viewed by many fans as being a more competitive league than the Bundesliga, and a higher level; and let’s not forget the pressure that comes with playing for Manchester United – some players can handle that pressure, whereas others can’t.

Whatever the issue may be with Sancho, he needs to start showing some of his Dortmund form and quickly, otherwise he will never be viewed as a success here.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

His time here is pretty much close to being done.

He just offers the bare minimum every game and always leaves you wanting more.

 

[GifLord]

His speed stats in Germany would have told a decent data scouting department he wouldn’t do well in England.

Top Speed and Acceleration are 2 different thing. Smalling was clocked at 34,47 km/h 7years ago while Sancho was clocked at 33.02 km/h 2 seasons ago - 167th fastest player in Bundesliga.
It's really crazy that nobody put 2 and 2 together.

 

[BluesJr]

Top Speed and Acceleration are 2 different thing. Smalling was clocked at 34,47 km/h 7years ago while Sancho was clocked at 33.02 km/h 2 seasons ago - 167th fastest player in Bundesliga.
It's really crazy that nobody put 2 and 2 together.

I guarantee it didn’t even cross their minds to have a look. You’re dead in this league without either raw speed or acceleration over the first few yards.

 

[VorZakone]

I guarantee it didn’t even cross their minds to have a look. You’re dead in this league without either raw speed or acceleration over the first few yards.

Would you say Mahrez is particularly fast?

 

[Doracle]

I guarantee it didn’t even cross their minds to have a look. You’re dead in this league without either raw speed or acceleration over the first few yards.

This isn’t quite true. The likes of David Silva and Bernardo Silva have done very well without it. The problem is that Sancho doesn’t seem to have the real technical skills to make up for it. His short passing and vision is ok but not exceptional, his movement isn’t world class and he rarely beats anyone with skill. I’m still hoping he might work as a number 10 but I’m not that optimistic currently.

 

[BluesJr]

This isn’t quite true. The likes of David Silva and Bernardo Silva have done very well without it. The problem is that Sancho doesn’t seem to have the real technical skills to make up for it. His short passing and vision is ok but not exceptional, his movement isn’t world class and he rarely beats anyone with skill. I’m still hoping he might work as a number 10 but I’m not that optimistic currently.

He isn’t that type of player. I can see Ten Hag wants him to be and that’s why he’s been experimenting with the 10 role. He’s going to need to step up massively for that to work.

 

[golden_blunder]

As a winger I don’t see it in him. Maybe as a free roaming number 10 type knitting play together, similar to Mata.
needs to considerably up his game

 

[AndyMUFC]

His lack of intensity is a huge problem, there was a moment second half where he was chasing down a defender who passed it back to the keeper and it was like he was in slow motion chasing down the ball. Rashford or Bruno would've been steaming in at 100 miles an hour and could've forced a mistake.

He's in danger of getting left behind to be honest, because there's no reason he should be starting games over Rashford, Bruno or Antony. I hope it works out but I'm getting Donny vibes.

 

[izak]

How bad was he today?

 

[criticalanalysis]

Terribly disappointing.

I have faith because he's young, got undeniable talent and is working under ETH but that's because it's hope that is the only thing, I can legitimately hold onto regarding his performances.

 

[next_number_seven]

How bad was he today?

He wasn't bad. He was tidy enough but he doesn't offer enough creatively.

 

[Sultan]

He's just not showing any intensity. Lacks pace, and stamina. I think he's too much of a soft touch and lacks any controlled aggression or fighting spirit to be really effective in the Premiership.

 

[Galactico]

He is not showing passion and not making a claim for a starting place in the team and given he is the highest paid outfield player in the club, that is a total disaster. Get rid end of the season if we can and cut our losses on him (and passion-less Martial too). Antony has fire in his belly, tracks back an lot and deserves more time. This club always tried to get the top strikers in from European and rival clubs. We have run multiple experiments now on temporary centre forward options and spent bag loads on slow wingers. I just don’t get it.

 

[Yagami]

This is why I wanted Grealish over him.

At least with Grealish he’s press resistant.

I feared Sancho would be too weak but, because I don’t watch the Bundesliga, I had hope with everyone raving about him. As far as the Premier Leagues best interiores throughout the years, he’ll be lucky to reach Pienaar level, never mind a Silva.

 

[Red the Bear]

We're stuck with him pretty much due to his astronomical wages, so not much we could but to hope he comes out good Someday.

A serie a move might suit him, could have a decent career there i think.

 

[ScholesyTheWise]

He wasn't bad. He was tidy enough but he doesn't offer enough creatively.

Which surely means he was bad?
Being tidy is fine when you lead by 3 goals, it's the 75th minute of a game and you're in full control.

When there's everything to be still fought for,
you just can't allow passengers like him on your side.

Hugely disappointing signing.

 

[ScholesyTheWise]

He was really really good in the German league. Presumably, that’s why we bought him? Fergie’s scouts also recommended Kagawa, we went ahead to buy him too and he wasn’t exactly a success here. Sancho still has time on his side though

Surely it can't be all of them (players who're amazing ib the Bundesliga but will turn to shit in England)?

I bet my ass that Bellingham would look pretty fine under Klopp (and for us too).
Thomas Muller would probably have been amazing here. Ditto Kimmich, Lahm....
Even Sabitzer has already shown us that he can do his thing also in the PL, even if he's not going to be a world-beater by any means.

I was also excited about Kagawa and got it wrong.

With Sanco it was more difficult to get pumped,
what with his age and the hype surrounding him, and the price tag.
There was every chance he was going to crumble under pressure.

I do wonder how Grealish would have fared for us, but who knows if he ever seriously considered joining us.

 

[next_number_seven]

Which surely means he was bad?
Being tidy is fine when you lead by 3 goals, it's the 75th minute of a game and you're in full control.

When there's everything to be still fought for,
you just can't allow passengers like him on your side.

Hugely disappointing signing.

I agree.
I don't think I've ever seen him beat a man or make a run past a defender or make space to shoot from distance.

He just does nice footwork and nice tidy passes.

Besides Bruno, Ole's signings were all duds.

 

[Bebestation]

I agree.
I don't think I've ever seen him beat a man or make a run past a defender or make space to shoot from distance.

He just does nice footwork and nice tidy passes.

Besides Bruno, Ole's signings were all duds.

Alot of fans wanted Sancho so i actually blame them.

 

[next_number_seven]

Alot of fans wanted Sancho so i actually blame them.

I hope he doesn't listen to fans. I doubt fans were clammering for Maguire.

He might come good yet but needs to show more.
I think without proper pace you need to be very clever and technical.
I don't think Trossard is very pacey but he's effective.

 

[Scottynaldinho]

His time will come. He's still finding his feet in a new league while being played in various positions.

Once the manager knows how to use him. He'll be grand. He'll never shine if he doesn't get a lot of the ball which has been the case.

 

[Rocksy]

His time will come. He's still finding his feet in a new league while being played in various positions.

Once the manager knows how to use him. He'll be grand. He'll never shine if he doesn't get a lot of the ball which has been the case.

He doesn't show for the ball that much, though. Also, the thing about him lacking pace: at Dortmund he did have it, in short bursts he would go past people. He looks now that he doesn't have anything like that. I can't work out what's happened to him.

 

[Scottynaldinho]

He doesn't show for the ball that much, though. Also, the thing about him lacking pace: at Dortmund he did have it, in short bursts he would go past people. He looks now that he doesn't have anything like that. I can't work out what's happened to him.

He never relies on his pace to go past players.

As much as people say that he has been here for x number of seasons now, we know he really hasn't had a consistent run in a set position under one manager for whatever reasons.

All the issues that we see with him are purely tactical. I trust Erik to get the best out of him. He is still very young.

 

[Scottynaldinho]

It's not best to judge an attacking player who's clearly struggling in a game where we played with 10 men.

 

[Slevs]

Wasn't that bad as the number 10, until we lost Casemiro and were on the backfoot.

He'd be a decent squad option as cover for Bruno. Definitely not one for the wings. If we can move him on and get someone cheaper as cover for Bruno, it would be great.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It was a tough game for attacking players but I don’t quite understand how someone with that much technical ability has found the PL / Manchester United so hard to deal with it has completely eaten up their game. He isn’t a Kagawa level talent - his ability on the ball really is terrific. But he’s making barely 10% use of his talent right now which really is crazy. Seems to be a mental and physical block for him. Hopefully a couple of strong performances can revitalise him.

 

[Kostov]

Why is he never sprinting, like what the feck man?

 

[Bebestation]

He pings the ball at a tempo that’s only done in the Bundesliga.

He pings it and let’s everyone else run for it.

 

[ScholesyTheWise]

Why is he never sprinting, like what the feck man?

seems very odd,
I can't imagine his teammates/manager not being livid about it.
His pressing is weaker than how I press on my keyboard (I'll get my coat but feck me is it shameful to see)

 

[Rocksy]

He never relies on his pace to go past players.

As much as people say that he has been here for x number of seasons now, we know he really hasn't had a consistent run in a set position under one manager for whatever reasons.

All the issues that we see with him are purely tactical. I trust Erik to get the best out of him. He is still very young.

Don’t think I said he relied on pace, but a lack of pace wasn’t an issue for him. At Dortmund, he would go past players as he took the ball, then he’d get shots or passes off. That might be more about him having a good first touch and decision-making (at the time), as well as the team being set up for him, but he was able to show burst of intensity.

 

[Dan_F]

Did Dortmund not play high intensity football then? I know it’s not the Dortmund of Klopp’s era but I thought they were still a relatively high pressing team.

 

[VP89]

I think he's playing better than before but he needs to play through this confidence issue that he has. He needs a run of games - a cliche line but Id like to see it.

 

[Mike Smalling]

It's not best to judge an attacking player who's clearly struggling in a game where we played with 10 men.

Yeah, after Casemiro was sent off it was never going to be his game, but I still think you can criticize the lack of intensity and grit. He needs to be able to bring just a bit of that in a situation like yesterdays.

 

[zenith]

ETH seems happy with his performances. At least going by the post match comments