Jadon Sancho – the solution to Manchester United’s striker problem has been right under their noses - soccerdelights.com
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Jadon Sancho – the solution to Manchester United’s striker problem has been right under their noses

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Injuries and uncertainty mean Jadon Sancho has been playing up front for Manchester United – but it may not be the answer they need.

Whatever happened to drive a wedge between Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag over the last two years, they seem to have found a way to make nice – at least for now. Sancho may have been exiled from the first team last season and may have wound up on loan at Borussia Dortmund, but it’s now been widely reported that the former England international could easily end up as Manchester United’s starting striker for the new season.

It’s a fairly surprising concept on a few levels, not least of which is the fact that Sancho’s refusal to apologise to Ten Hag over training ground disagreements led to his apparently permanent removal from the squad. An optimistic view of the situation is that the two have mended fences in private. A more cynical view is that United couldn’t find a buyer. Either way, and regardless of personal issues or attitudes towards the head coach, Sancho has simply not played well for his current employers over the last three years.

Nor has he scored very many goals. He managed to bother the scoresheet nine times in 68 Premier League matches in a red shirt, and while he did play thirty minutes as a centre-forward against Nottingham Forest last August, it’s not as though he’s spent much of his career operating as a number nine.

The vacancy has opened up because of an injury which will sideline Rasmus Højlund for an estimated six weeks – and because Ten Hag doesn’t seem to believe that new signing Joshua Zirkzee, himself more of a supporting forward anyway, is ready to start just yet. Sancho, then, is being considered alongside Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes to start up top.

Rashford may seem like the more obvious candidate but if the long-term plan remains to play him as a left-winger (the position where he has played most of his best football) then there is a certain logic in allowing him to play wide and stretch play rather than making him the man needing to get on the end of the final pass – and in any case, it remains to be seen whether he can rediscover the form and confidence he lost last season in front of goal.

Fernandes, meanwhile, is a more established Premier League goalscorer – by quite a long chalk, come to that – but was absolutely essential to United’s attack as a number ten last season. If he doesn’t play in that role, it’s reasonable to wonder whether United would create enough chances for anyone playing at number nine.

In other words, one can imagine the leaps of imagination required to arrive at the idea of Sancho the Striker, even if he hasn’t demonstrated too much in the way of lethal form in and around the six-yard box recently. It’s not like he was firing them in away on loan last season, either. He scored three goals in 21 games.

But he has been a pretty free-scoring player in the past. During his first spell at Dormund, he hit double figures in three consecutive seasons – 49 goals in 111 games over a three-year spell, the form which persuaded United to splash a reported £73m on him in the first place.

And while he may have scored most of those goals as a winger, it was a high-pressing, advanced role which saw him making a lot of runs into the area – and indeed of the 38 league goals he scored for Dortmund, all but one was in the box, and they were scored off an xG of 23.6. He does have a track record as a fine close-range finisher. It’s just a matter of whether he can remember how to do it a few years on from his best form.

The worry, of course, is that he can’t. Sancho started up front in United’s two most recent pre-season friendlies, a narrow 3-2 win over Real Betis and a frankly concerning 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, and didn’t get himself on the scoresheet or look remarkably threatening in either game.

Meanwhile, Rashford has looked reasonably lively from out wide and Mason Mount was, mercifully, looking rather more like the player that left Chelsea in the number ten role during that otherwise depressing defeat to Arne Slot’s side. All of which rather suggested that it might well be Fernandes, not Sancho, who provides the answer up top.

Fernandes scores frequently, knows how to peel off defenders and find space and has the composure and experience not to fluff his lines in promising positions. And while he may also be the club’s key creative fulcrum, United may need to trust the money they spent on Mount and give him the chance to prove that he’s still got the creativity and skill around the edge of the area to create the openings that Fernandes did.

Maybe, one day, the old Sancho will re-emerge from the cocoon he’s constructed around himself since joining Manchester United, but whatever has caused his performance levels to drop does not yet seem to be resolved even if he has buried the hatchet with the manager. He was struggling before Ten Hag arrived, and until proven otherwise, it has to be assumed that those same struggles aren’t behind him just yet.

But the real problem for United is less about who will start up front in Højlund’s absence but how they have arrived, despite immense expenditure over the course of several years, at a point where they don’t have a trusted senior central striker.

They have young talents and they have proven players out of form and they have a couple of number tens, but they lack a week-in, week-out number nine who can be relied upon to score the goals required to contend for the top four every season. And as Ineos figure out how to pilot the club going forward, figuring out how to fix that problem should probably be one of the very first steps.

 

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Bubba Wallace joins the Dark Side and will race with

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Bubba Wallace joins the Dark Side and will race with a special Star Wars paint scheme at Phoenix

Bubba Wallace is set to make a striking impression at the upcoming Phoenix race with a special Star Wars-themed paint scheme, marking a unique crossover between the worlds of motorsport and pop culture. This collaboration promises to ignite excitement among fans of both NASCAR and the beloved sci-fi franchise.

Wallace, known for his dynamic personality and advocacy for social justice, will pilot his No. 23 car adorned with imagery that pays homage to the iconic Star Wars saga. The paint scheme features familiar characters and motifs, designed to capture the essence of the series while showcasing Wallace’s vibrant style on the racetrack.

The decision to embrace a Star Wars theme comes as part of a larger trend within NASCAR to engage fans through innovative partnerships and themed events. With the enduring popularity of the Star Wars franchise, this collaboration aims to draw in a wider audience, appealing to both die-hard racing fans and Star Wars enthusiasts alike. The iconic imagery of lightsabers, starships, and perhaps even elements of the Force will make for a visually stunning spectacle as Wallace competes for position on the track.

 As Wallace prepares for the race, the excitement is palpable. He has often expressed his love for motorsport and pop culture, making this partnership a natural fit for his brand. “Racing and Star Wars are two passions of mine, and to combine them in such a creative way is truly exciting,” Wallace stated in a recent interview. “I can’t wait to see the fans’ reactions and bring a little bit of the galaxy far, far away to Phoenix.”

 The unveiling of the paint scheme is also expected to include a series of promotional events leading up to the race. Fans can look forward to meet-and-greets, special merchandise, and perhaps even appearances from popular Star Wars characters, creating an immersive experience that transcends the typical racetrack atmosphere. This approach not only enhances the entertainment value but also strengthens the connection between the racing community and popular culture.

On the track, Wallace’s performance will undoubtedly be in the spotlight, but the unique paint scheme will add an additional layer of intrigue. As the race unfolds, viewers will be treated to a spectacle of speed, skill, and stunning visuals, making the event a must-watch for fans. The combination of high-octane racing and the fantastical elements of Star Wars creates a thrilling narrative, drawing attention to Wallace’s journey as he navigates the twists and turns of the track.

The Phoenix race is set to be more than just another event on the NASCAR calendar; it will serve as a celebration of creativity and fandom. As Wallace takes to the track with his Star Wars-inspired design, he not only carries the hopes of his team but also represents a fusion of two worlds that continue to inspire millions. With each lap, he’ll be channeling the spirit of adventure, courage, and determination that defines both racing and the Star Wars legacy.

As the green flag waves, fans will undoubtedly be cheering for Wallace, not just as a driver, but as a beacon of innovation and passion, showcasing the power of collaboration in sports and entertainment. The force will be strong at Phoenix, and Bubba Wallace is ready to lead the charge.

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Manchester United considering €70m swoop for PSG striker in January to boost forward – Reports

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Manchester United considering €70m swoop for PSG striker in January to boost forward – Reports

According to reports from CaughtOffside, Manchester United are understood to have a genuine interest in the transfer of Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani, though he is not expected to be available this January.

CaughtOffside is aware of Kolo Muani was previously signed by PSG for a hefty sum of money—up to €95 million—while Man United is believed to value the France international at closer to €70 million as they search for upfront reinforcements.

Kolo Muani might be a good fit for the Red Devils, even though he hasn’t quite displayed his finest play in a PSG jersey.

After Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s setbacks at Old Trafford, the team could definitely use a more seasoned and tested alternative up front.

The 25-year-old remains highly regarded by his current club, however, and sources have indicated there is little chance of him being sold this winter, even if the situation could perhaps be looked at again by next summer.

United have invested in the future by bringing in two young forwards in Hojlund and Zirkzee in the last two summers, so it might perhaps be a bit of a surprise to see the club spending big on yet another striker.

Still, one has to wonder how much more time Hojlund in particular will be given as he’s not made much of an impact in over a year in Manchester now, so there could be a case for bringing in Kolo Muani as an upgrade.

At the same time, if PSG aren’t keen to sell, then this could potentially mean paying a lot of money to make them change their minds, and that might be seen as a bit of a risk, considering that the former Eintracht Frankfurt man isn’t in the best form right now.

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Man United tipped to sign Outstanding €80m PSG Playmaker ahead of Manchester City as Ruud Van Nistelrooy backs him to shine – Reports

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Man United tipped to sign Outstanding €80m PSG Playmaker ahead of Manchester City as Ruud Van Nistelrooy backs him to shine – Reports

It seems that Manchester United isn’t giving up on the prospect of signing RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, even though no agreement was struck during the most recent transfer window.

Man United showed a keen interest in the Dutch attacker for a significant portion of the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano, who stated that the club became even more interested in Simons following his Dutch team’s performance at Euro 2024.

In the end, a deal remained far off, even though Simons made a suggestion that he would return to Leipzig on another Paris Saint-Germain loan.

This advice came to pass in July when he agreed to join a new one-year loan with Leipzig.

Even as he returns to Germany, however, United have not given up on their pursuit of the Dutch forward.

Xavi Simons to Manchester United

Christian Falk, the head of football at the BILD Group, revealed that United may just manage to hijack a potential deal for Simons being formulated by bitter rivals Manchester City.

“United and Liverpool were interested in the player historically, but also Manchester City are in the race and he would be a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s system,” Falk noted. He also revealed why United may be ahead in the race to sign Simons.

“Liverpool have a coach who can speak the same language. There’s a Dutch coach also present at Manchester United. So, these offer huge chances for either club,” he explained, suggesting that Simons would appreciate playing under a coach who speaks the same language.

For United, Simons is a young, versatile player who could significantly bolster their attacking options over the long-term future.

It’s no secret that Erik ten Hag is a fan of the Dutch rising star, praising Simons for his performance against England in the Euro 2024 semifinals.

“I enjoyed Xavi Simons in that game. The drive he has, the passion with which he conquers balls and recognises situations are top,” Ten Hag stated. “His enormous drive as well. That is almost un-Dutch. I think you can see that he was trained abroad. He almost has a southern European doggedness in his game.”

Of course, Simons’ impressive performances extend beyond his appearances for the Netherlands. He was a key player for Leipzig last season, scoring eight goals and providing 13 assists in 32 Bundesliga games last season.

Although Simons’ market value is €80 million, according to Transfermarkt, United may just manage to afford him comfortably should they do adequate financial planning before bidding on the player once his loan deal expires

 

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