Manchester United’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho has sucked the life out of their fans. Weeks and weeks of negotiations with no outcome have now left fans frustrated. Perhaps, on the other hand, how smoothly United’s rivals are making moves in the transfer market has been another source of discontent.
No doubt, even now, Sancho is still a priority for United in the transfer market. With the emergence of recent reports, there’s a growing feeling that the winger won’t arrive at Old Trafford this season.
If that happens it would certainly be a disappointment, but that doesn’t mean that supporters should feel less excited about the next season. The social and traditional media has put so much emphasis on the transfer of the Borussia Dortmund player that United supporters are beginning to overlook what their team already possess. Here’s why the fans shouldn’t fret if United fail to land Sancho.
Mason Greenwood took the league by storm last season with his consistent performances. The teenager became such an attacking threat that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t leave him out of the starting XI.
Solskjaer often employed a 4-2-3-1 system and Greenwood was a regular on the right side of the attacking quadrant. Even though that’s not his natural position, the 18-year-old excelled on the right-wing.
Greenwood drifts in towards the box to get himself in shooting positions. His searing pace and two-footedness are among his best attributes. That’s not it, the youngster boasts sensational shooting accuracy too. No doubt, the arrival of Sancho would mean that United’s attack would have a whole different complexion but we cannot write off Greenwood in that aspect either.
Data from Bundesliga shows that Sancho can play on either of the flanks and be equally effective. The England international was among the best players in the Bundesliga statistically and he can play a variety of roles. If United do get Sancho, it will be their record signing. Then it’s obvious that someone from the current starting eleven has to make way for him and Greenwood would be the most likely candidate.
Given that Solskjaer sticks to the 4-2-3-1 system then, Sancho would be deployed as a right-winger in place of Greenwood as Marcus Rashford owns the left-wing. This means that Greenwood would not get many chances and his opportunities would be limited to cup competitions or as a late impact substitute. This could, perhaps, hamper the teenagers’ progress.
His consistent performances haven’t gone unnoticed as England manager Gareth Southgate gave him his first England call-up a couple of days ago. Perhaps that wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t played so regularly at the club.
In no way this is to say that United should give up on Sancho but this should, instead, be comprehended this way – even if United fail to sign Sancho then it shouldn’t be deemed as a failure and the fans shouldn’t be upset about it because the Red Devils have an unpolished gem in Greenwood. There should be equal excitement at Old Trafford, with or without Sancho, for the next season.
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