It's rare for a manager to make a tactical substitution immediately after half-time but that's exactly what Erik ten Hag did on Saturday evening at Stamford Bridge. The electronic board was raised in the 52nd minute because Ten Hag had simply seen enough.
Jadon Sancho's number was raised and he was replaced by Fred, which meant Bruno Fernandes moved to the left wing. Ten Hag was so unhappy with Sancho's performance that he decided a midfielder would be able to provide more quality in his position.
Sancho has been awful for weeks and it was an overhit pass in the second half that was the catalyst for Ten Hag to hook him earlier than expected, with the Dutchman swiftly turning to the bench to instruct Fred to warm up. Ten Hag has not been afraid to make big decisions during his premiership and hauling a player off just minutes after half-time was a statement of his authority.
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Where does Sancho go from here? It's likely he could make the Manchester United starting lineup against FC Sheriff and West Ham, but that's certainly not merited, as Sancho has been starting by default this season with no viable alternative in that position. Marcus Rashford is best on the left wing and Ten Hag has preferred to play him down the middle, Anthony Martial has been sidelined for the majority of the season, Anthony Elanga is not good enough to start and Alejandro Garnacho is a raw talent.
Sancho has undeservedly been starting games and perhaps that explains why he's one of few players at the club that haven't improved following Ten Hag's appointment.
Regardless of the reason, it's concerning that Sancho has not improved when the majority of the squad has. Sancho was anonymous against Manchester City, lacklustre and devoid of creativity against Omonia in Cyprus and he was finally dropped to the bench at Goodison Park. Sancho was on the bench again for Omonia at home but he returned to the lineup against Newcastle.
Sancho only started against Newcastle because Ten Hag wanted Rashford to play down the middle instead of Cristiano Ronaldo. If Ronaldo was 10 years younger, he would start at centre-forward, Antony would play on the right and Rashford on the left.
That would leave Sancho on the bench, which is what his performances warrant. Although it has been suggested that he is currently in danger of becoming a £73million flop, some supporters have argued they already considered him in that category.
It's becoming hard to disagree with that section of the fanbase based on Sancho's current form. He has been ineffective throughout matches, looks incapable in one-on-one situations and he is appears lethargic on the left wing.
He isn't showing intent to beat his full-back or the skill and pace that is required to do that. Sancho is often found in excellent positions before he turns back and passes, or before he cuts back and crosses into the box, which is welcomed by the opposition, as it gives them time to get back into formation. It's frustrating to watch Sancho and Ten Hag felt that at Stamford Bridge.
This is not the player who stunned Germany during the brilliant years he spent with Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga gives players more time on the ball and space, yes, but Sancho is not doing the basics at United that was regularly doing in Germany.
The record of multi-million exports from the Bundesliga to the Premier League is mixed, to say the least, but you're not a bad player if you can contribute 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances for Dortmund, especially during some of your teenage years.
Sancho has eight goals and five assists in 52 appearances for United in comparison. His performances have regressed, he has stopped doing what made him the talk of Europe and he's now running out of excuses in his second season at Old Trafford.
He was 21 years old when signing for United last summer and he was given time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. Sancho is now another year wiser, he's playing under a tactically astute coach and it's time for him to deliver.
This was supposed to be the season that Sancho truly showed what he is capable of, not the campaign which really tested supporters' patience with him. Ten Hag needs to see more from Sancho because he's currently far from good enough.
Although Sancho has the talent, he needs to start showing it at Old Trafford.
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