Ralf Rangnick believes Jadon Sancho's strengths 'perfectly' complement Manchester United's new style in a 4-3-3 formation.
Sancho has returned from the winter break transformed and was widely regarded as United's standout performer in their consecutive 1-1 draws with Middlesbrough, Burnley and Southampton.
The 21-year-old scored against Boro and Southampton and is thriving playing from the left-hand side, having originally been identified by United as their priority target for the right flank.
United signed Sancho for £72.9million from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and he was burdened by the greater expectation at an intensely scrutinised club in his first five months. However, Sancho has benefited from the managerial change and thrived during Michael Carrick's brief caretaker tenure before Rangnick took over in early December.
"Jadon, I've known since he was 17 when he still played in England," Rangnick said. "I contacted him and his agent when he was 17 and tried to convince him to join us at Leipzig, in the end he decided to go to Dortmund and had a great time there. His development there, he became one of the best wingers in the league, if not in Europe.
"The step to a club like Manchester United is a big one for anyone, at the time a 21-year-old, that was a massive step and this takes time.
"The style of football we play fits perfectly with his assets and his strengths, coming from the left side and I also try to show him and give him my support, tell him he should have a go even in this league, it's more physical, more competitive and the same happened with other players who played in those positions.
"And the same will hopefully happen in the next couple of weeks with a player like Marcus Rashford, who did well in the last couple of weeks. This is what it's about: to get the best out of players, play in their best possible position and, in this club, also helping them cope with the pressure and the level of expectations that is different from when he came to Dortmind at the age of 17."
