Following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, Jamie Redknapp told Jadon Sancho that turning his situation around would be a'massive struggle,' with the forward's lack of 'pace to sprint past players' a'real problem.'
At Manchester United, Jadon Sancho has struggled to live up to the hype (Picture: Getty)
Sancho began United's 1-0 loss to Wolves at home last Monday, but had to settle for a spot among the replacements this weekend when Ralf Rangnick's side traveled to Villa Park in the Premier League.
The Red Devils appeared to be on their way to an easy away win when Bruno Fernandes scored his second goal of the game in the 67th minute, after Emiliano Martinez's blunder had gifted the visitors an early lead.
However, Villa loanee Just seconds later, Philippe Coutinho was introduced, and the Brazilian assisted Jacob Ramsey's 77th-minute goal before equalizing in front of a raucous Holte End.
Rangnick had hoped that Sancho, who came in for Anthony Elanga, would have a similar impact off the bench, but the winger once again flattered to deceive in a 20-minute cameo.
'He's up against it,' said the former Liverpool, Tottenham, and England midfielder.
'He came on the pitch today and had no effect.' When you first come in, you're hoping to produce a little bit of magic, but in the end, you come on and draw 2-2. You're supposed to be the one who helps the squad out.
'He lacks self-assurance.' We talk a lot about confidence in football, and when I watch him play, he's nothing like the man we saw in the Bundesliga. He looked nice in close quarters when I saw him there.
'My main concern about him is that he lacks the speed to get past people.' Manchester United has always had fantastic wingers who can run with the ball not only in tight areas but also further afield, which is why Rangnick has chosen Elanga today.
'He [Elanga] raced and chased it for the opening two minutes of the game... Sancho doesn't do that, so it's a major source of concern for him.'
Japan vs. British & Irish Lions
Sancho's performance as a substitute did not impress Redknapp (Picture: Getty)
Sancho was urged by Redknapp to put in the hard yards on the training ground in order to give himself the best chance of returning to Rangnick's starting XI.
What can he possibly do?' He needs to exhibit some personality and say, "Yeah, I'm up for this task!" he said.
'If he trains well, plays well, and lives correctly, you might be able to get him back in this team.'
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Elanga made the most of his chance (photo courtesy of Getty) United academy product
Rangnick praised Elanga's performance in his post-match interview with Sky Sports after the youngster made his first Premier League start of the season.
'He performed a fantastic job. He had two excellent chances to score himself, but he did what I expected him to do,' the interim United manager added.
'That's why I started playing him right away.'
'Well, we've got so many games to go, I'm not thinking who is ahead of who,' Rangnick said when asked if the 19-year-old was now ahead of Sancho in his opinion.
'Today, we made the decision to start him [Elanga], but we have so many games coming up that things could change in the next game.'
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