Paul Scholes delivers Jadon Sancho verdict as Erik ten Hag told which two Man Utd stars must go to aid winger’s progress
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes feels Jadon Sancho has yet to fulfil his potential and would benefit from having a better right-back in the side.
Sancho, 22, is currently in his second season at Old Trafford after the Red Devils paid Borussia Dortmund £73m for his services. Much was expected of the winger but has yet to show his true colours for the Old Trafford giants. Having scored 50 goals from 137 appearances with BVB, it was hoped that the England international would be a regular contributor to the goals column.
However, he has found the net on only 10 occasions from 62 outings for his current employers. Indeed, the talented youngster has struggled to secure playing time under Erik ten Hag this season.
He was sent away from the first team last October to undertake a specific training regime. And he was not seen again until Feb 1 this year when making a substitute appearances in a 2-0 EFL Cup triumph over Nottingham Forest.
The manager said he feels the youngster is now in ‘a better place’ and he has seen some game time. But, having been handed 20 starts last term, he has been given the nod on just 12 occasions in 2022-2023.
He has started four games in the Europa League but there is a sense he still has much to prove.
And, asked whether he thought Sancho had done enough this season, Scholes pulled no punches.
“Not yet I don’t think, I still think there’s a lot more to come from him,” he told BT Sport. “He obviously had his issues and problems that the manager dealt with, he came back and scored a couple of goals. I still think there’s a player in there, he just needs the right players around him.”
Scholes lifts lid on Sancho problem
Sancho was one of the Bundesliga’s standout performers over three seasons. And it has been a source of frustration why he could not replicate that form in the Premier League.
He has looked devoid of confidence during his time at the Theatre of Dreams. The former Manchester City youth star was criticised after notching just three Premier League goals in 2021-22.
His recent improvement this season has mirrored that of United’s, with four league goals to his name. However, there is still a long way to go.
And Scholes took aim at team-mates Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, suggesting the answer could be to ditch the duo.
“Remember at Dortmund before, he had a flying right-back going on all the time, which really helped him because he’s not a quick player,” he added.
“He’s more of a skilful player who wants to play football, he wants to play with his centre-forward and right-back.
“If United can possibly find a better right-back it might make him a different proposition.”
Manchester United are next in action on Sunday when they host Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
It remains to be seen if he does get a run out. He did play the final 30 minutes of the 1-0 Europa League triumph over Real Betis.
