Sancho to Man Utd: Where will Solskjaer’s new £73m signing play?

 

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The Red Devils have struck a deal to sign the 21-year-old from Borussia Dortmund, but how will he fit into the club and what is his best position?

Manchester United has agreed to pay £73 million ($101 million) for Borussia Dortmund striker Jadon Sancho, ending one of the most drawn-out transfer sagas in recent memory.

The move is still subject to a medical, but the England attacker is expected to join United after his participation in Euro 2020.



His long-awaited arrival will provide United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with even more options in a front line that is already intriguing.

And while England boss Gareth Southgate has not been able to find room for Sancho in his starting line-up, there is little doubt that the 21-year-old will be a key player at United.

But where exactly will Sancho fit in?

On the right

For years, United has been without a natural right-sided winger, which is why Solskjaer has been so keen on acquiring Sancho, who has 50 goals and 57 assists in 137 games for Dortmund in all competitions.




In the past, the Norwegian has been forced to put Mason Greenwood, who is two-footed and extremely versatile, out wide, allowing Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani to fight for the center-forward position.


Greenwood, on the other hand, loves to play through the centre, therefore the addition of Sancho means that his England teammate will be able to compete for a starting spot in his preferred position.


Because of the increased competition for positions, Solskjaer will always have a couple of game-changers on the bench.

On the left 

Sancho’s adaptability is one of his most appealing qualities. Indeed, in Dortmund’s 3-4-3 system last season, he was a fixture on the left flank, where he formed a deadly connection with Portugal winger Raphael Guerreiro.


Sancho, on the other hand, appears to be destined for the left flank if United are short on numbers.




Remember, it’s not only Marcus Rashford who loves to play on the left flank; Anthony Martial has always seemed more at ease there. And neither man has ever excelled while positioned on the right side of the field.


Sancho’s flexibility to swap wings, on the other hand, allows Solskjaer to rest Rashford when necessary, or to alter things up in the midst of games to confound opponents.


Attacking midfield 

The least likely but most intriguing option now available to Solskjaer is deploying Sancho as a No.10.



While his skills are best utilised in a wide role, as it allows him to cut inside and torment defenders with his “incredible dribbling skills”, the former Manchester City youth-team star is capable of playing behind a striker, meaning he could stand in for Bruno Fernandes whenever required.

Fernandes, a Portugal international, is the type of player that wants to play every game, and he frequently has to because of his significance to the squad. Last season, though, it was apparent that Bruno needed a break on many occasions.

Given Sancho’s impending arrival, resting Fernandes is suddenly a lot more appealing option, especially because the England player can also play as an offensive midfielder.