All sides benefited from Jadon Sancho’s move to Chelsea, which will cost Manchester United £25 million in the summer. Erik ten Hag, his manager, drove home the point that he had lost his faith despite an excellent preseason. He did this by excluding players early.
There were questions over Chelsea’s choice to provide Sancho with a way out. Surely the 24-year-old was doomed to a similar fate in far more difficult circumstances at Stamford Bridge if he faltered at Old Trafford?
However, some athletes are best suited for specific settings, and Sancho has felt completely at home in London ever since going back to his birthplace.
Earlier this month, he made his Chelsea debut at AFC Bournemouth, coming on as a substitute, and after setting up Christopher Nkunku’s late winner, he was awarded player of the match.
In Saturday’s away match against West Ham United, Enzo Maresca gave him his first start, and he again showed his faith by setting up Nicolas Jackson’s first goal.
Thanks to Amad’s growth, Marcus Rashford’s better play, and Alejandro Garnacho’s ongoing progress, Ten Hag hasn’t missed Sancho.
Just hours after Sancho’s contribution to Chelsea’s victory over West Ham, United had enough opportunities to win their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
Ten Hag’s wingers all contributed to their victories in their previous two games, which they won 3-0 and 7-0 against Southampton and Barnsley, respectively.
Although Antony scored from a penalty that Rashford gave him in last week’s Carabao Cup victory against Barnsley, he has found it difficult to keep up with his attacking rivals.
Sancho’s outstanding early performances for Chelsea have also raised doubts about whether United sold the wrong winger in the summer, even though Ten Hag’s friendship with the player was probably the main motivation.
Since arriving in the Premier League for £86 million in 2022, Antony has only managed three assists in 55 games, and just two in his last 33.
At his three attacking positions—Rashford and Garnacho on the left, Amad and Antony on the right, and Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee upfront—Ten Hag will feel as though he has two excellent choices in each position.
However, Sancho’s immediate success abroad while Antony keeps struggling hasn’t made it any easier to quell the rumours that the Dutchman made a grave mistake by returning to Ajax.
Although Amad and Garnacho are ahead of the United No. 21 in the right-wing hierarchy, there is still hope that the latter can succeed as a squad option.
It appears improbable as ever, though, that he will be able to reimburse United for the £86 million transfer cost that made him the second most expensive player in club history.