The news that Jadon Sancho is working on an individual programme, instead of training with the first team in Spain did come as a surprise but it could be the best thing for the Manchester United winger.
I think that it is a benefit that Sancho is working away from the spotlight so that he can work on aspects of his game, such as improving his final third decision-making that made him such a formidable force for Borussia Dortmund.
United paid £73 million to sign Sancho in the summer of 2021 [Sky Sports] and there was anticipation that he would slot into the right-hand side of the United front three, but he was still adapting to the Premier League and its physical nature, which therefore meant that he only started four Premier League games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before the Norwegian was sacked [Transfermarkt.co.uk].
In pre-season, Erik ten Hag trialled Sancho as a left-winger and it felt as though that would be his best position because it allowed him to cut inside with his right foot and use his creativity, which saw him record 58 assists during his time in Germany [manutd.com].
Jadon Sancho with a goal and an assist for Dortmund today.
He’s the youngest player in Bundesliga history to reach 50 assists ✨ pic.twitter.com/FSeuDrqsS5
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 27, 2021
After a solid pre-season, Sancho hit the ground running as he scored twice in his first two games against Liverpool at home in the 2-1 and he scored the winning goal in the 1-0 win over Leicester back in September.
HALF-TIME Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool
The hosts lead after an exhilarating first 45 thanks to Jadon Sancho's super solo goal#MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/Dob7wd0im6
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 22, 2022
However, Sancho has not played for United since the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 22nd October, but he came off in the 54th minute as Fred took his place.
In that game against Chelsea, United created numerous chances but Sancho’s decision making on the right-hand side was not as sharp as he is capable of.
Last month, Sancho removed all of his posts on Instagram and had a black profile picture, which suggests that he is trying to cut out the external noise and focus on his game, which is admirable and he should be given credit for that.
With United fans understandably concerned about Sancho not being in the travelling party to Spain, it should not be lost on the fans and I am sure it is not that he is willing to put in the hard yards to regain his place back in the United starting XI as there is a quality player in there.
Jadon Sancho brought the class vs. Leeds 🌟 pic.twitter.com/TkrhQvO4S0
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 20, 2022
There is hope that when Sancho returns to Carrington next week that he can hone in on the aspects of his game that he has been working on through his individual program, which has been fully supported by United [manutd.com], and get back to his best because United fans have seen glimpses of it and we need to see it on a more consistent basis.
Jadon Sancho’s Premier League goals for Manchester United:
– go-ahead goal vs. Chelsea
– go-ahead goal vs. Southampton
– equaliser vs. Man City
– go-ahead goal vs. Liverpool
– go-ahead goal vs. LeicesterDifference maker. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HPStIqQVnS
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 1, 2022
