Ambition, creativity and a cool head – What will Jadon Sancho bring to Man Utd?

The 21-year-old has been a long-time transfer target

Pa Sport Staff
Thursday 01 July 2021 03:42 EDT
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

England winger Jadon Sancho looks to have moved a step closer to joining Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund with a fee of 85million euros (£72.9m) understood to have been agreed.

Here, we take a look at what qualities the 21-year-old will bring to Old Trafford.

Ambition

Sancho could easily have been content to patiently wait for his first-team chance at Manchester City. Instead, at the tender age of 17, the former Watford and City youngster ambitiously opted to move abroad and prove himself. That drive has turned him into a Bundesliga star, England international and one of the most in-demand talents in world football.

Versatility

Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho in action against Tottenham
Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho in action against Tottenham (PA Archive)

Should the deal be completed, Sancho would supplement United’s attacking talents of Marcus Rashford Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, ahead of Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes Sancho’s adaptability will offer United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer further flexibility in attacking areas, having shown his ability to perform numerous roles in the final third for Dortmund, where he has also played as a wing-back.

Creativity

Blessed with quick feet, supreme balance and searing pace, Sancho unsettles defences and is a relentless attacking threat. Since the start of the 2018/19 campaign, Sancho has a combined goals and assists record of 78, which puts him into the top 10 across Europe’s leading divisions.

The promise of youth

United already have plenty of potential in their ranks – it is sometimes easy to forget Rashford is himself only 23 and Greenwood still 19. Having turned 21 in March, time is very much on his side for Sancho to be a star performer at Old Trafford over the next decade.

A cool head

Sancho’s ability is also backed up by end product, finishing the last Bundesliga campaign with eight goals and 11 assists. Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller is a big fan. “There are other dribblers with similar qualities in the Bundesliga,” the German frontman told Sports Buzzer. “But they don’t have this outstanding decision-making.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in