Chelsea will be looking for their first Premier League win at Old Trafford for almost nine years this evening as they take on an out-of-sorts Manchester United team. The Blues all but secured their top-four status at the weekend following a late victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.
Man United have won just two out of their last six Premier League fixtures, and following the weekend's defeat to Arsenal, a space in the top four looks miles off for Ralf Rangnick and his team. The 20-times champions of England are in complete disarray at the moment, with club legend Gary Neville recently confessing he has never seen it "as bad" as it is right now.
"There are some decent players out on that pitch and some talent," Neville explained on Sky Sports earlier in the month following their 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. "I cannot explain how it's gone from what would be slightly promising at the end of last season, finishing second - I know they lost in the Europa League final, which was a bad one - to the point where we are today, which is an all-time low in my 42 years of watching United. I've never seen it as bad as that."
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While ruthlessly assessing his former club's state at the moment, Neville did admit there were some talented individuals out there. One man that has perhaps stood out more than most in a United shirt in recent times is Jadon Sancho. The England international was signed by Man United last summer for around £73million from Borussia Dortmund.
Massive things were expected of Sancho after a couple of fantastic seasons with Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Last term, the 22-year-old scored eight goals and provided 12 assists in 26 games in the German top-flight in what was an injury-disrupted season.
Sancho's ability to find the back of the net and provide assists on a regular basis made him one of the most sought-after talents in European football. Plenty wanted him, with some reports claiming Chelsea did, but Manchester United got their long-term target in the end.
It's been a tricky start to life back in England for Sancho, with just three goals and as many assists to his name so far this season in the Premier League. However, his performances recently have offered United supporters plenty of encouragement that they may eventually get to see the true talent of the £73m signing.
Speaking to 90Min last month, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Sancho is producing his best form at the moment since he made the big-money move from Signal Iduna Park to Old Trafford. "Jadon Sancho, form-wise, is in the best form he's been in in a United shirt, and I think there's loads more to come from him," Ferdinand explained.
"He's had the adaptation time, and I think we're seeing the benefits of that now. He's fitter as well. He's one of those in recent games you've looked to for that spark, that bit of quality."
The England winger is very difficult to stop when he has the ball at his feet. He is very tricky on the ball and can tie defenders up in knots while also having plenty of speed to hurt teams on the counter-attack. In fact, his speed and pressing while out of possession was enough to hurt Chelsea in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.
The Blues had a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position, but it was eventually cleared by United, who hoofed the ball up towards the halfway line. Jorginho then tried to kill the ball with a difficult first touch but got it all wrong, allowing a speedy Sancho to dispossess him and run through on goal and slot the ball past Edouard Mendy in a calm fashion.
"It's very unusual a mistake like this and to concede a goal like this for us in general, especially with Jorgi," Tuchel said after the 1-1 draw in November. "He misjudged the situation, and he was heavily disturbed from the lights, so did not see the ball in the end. It happens."
Rangnick had picked Sancho from the start in six out of his last seven Premier League games, but has now been ruled out of the match against Chelsea while he is suffering with tonsillitis. This is a major blow for Man United, who have relied on Sancho's technical brilliance in recent games to offer another dimension to their attacking play.
It's somewhat of an escape for Chelsea and for Reece James. The England full-back, who has returned to training this week, could have had a difficult time up against his international colleague. Perhaps Jorginho won't have nightmares on the pitch of Sancho sprinting towards him and dispossessing him, either.
