As reported by the Daily Mail, Thierry Henry has criticized Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho for ‘playing within himself,’ urging the winger to be more ‘lethal’ and prove he can take on defenders.
Sancho has struggled since joining Borussia Dortmund for £73 million in the summer, scoring only one Premier League goal and another in the Champions League.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the 21-year-old was in and out of the lineup but has started three of Ralf Rangnick’s four Premier League games so far, making a solid impression in the 3-1 win against Burnley on Thursday night.
After fine work down the left flank with full-back Luke Shaw, the England international’s shot was glanced off Ben Mee and into the net to make the score 2-0.
Henry said:
“Those are the types of players you want to watch but he is playing within himself. When you are in a one-on-one, you should take a player on. But it was Luke Shaw who was forcing him to take on those one-on-ones. What happened to beat your man on the outside? They often want to go too much inside. Just beat your man on the outside and be lethal.”
Henry believes that Sancho is not displaying this offensive drive more often, and he wants to see him show more pace and cunning, defeating players rather than playing with the handbrake on.
Sancho’s work ethic was lauded by United manager Ralf Rangnick, who singled out the winger ahead of his teammates while praising him in the win over Burnley.
Rangnick said: “It was important today to raise the energy level. The whole team performance was a lot better, I was pleased with the performances of our wingers – Jadon did well.”
Sancho provided the game’s key contribution after Scott McTominay had put United ahead on Thursday night. He danced inside and blasted a shot towards the far corner, only for Ben Mee to redirect it into his own net with a leg outstretched.
Sancho has not looked like the player he was for Dortmund last season, but fans will be hopeful that under Ralf Rangnick’s guidance, he can regain his form.
