Manchester United has work to do through the midfield, despite speeding into the summer transfer window with the purpose of bolstering their offensive options.
The team is in serious need of bringing in a big-money striker this summer after spending large money on a winger each of the last two summers. United has had trouble scoring this year and needs to bring in a top-notch No. 9 to boost their attacking output.
While Victor Osimhen of Napoli is still on their radar, Erik ten Hag has Harry Kane of Tottenham as his primary priority. But whoever the Reds ultimately decide to try to sign, they are aware that it will need a significant portion of their transfer budget.
Nobody among United's current crop of strikers, with the exception of Marcus Rashford, has emerged and established themselves as a consistent scorer this season. Only 21 goals have been scored in all competitions by Anthony Martial, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antony combined.
It is insufficient for a team that wants to make a serious title run the following year. Jadon Sancho has had another poor season, contrary to United's hopes that they would be able to rely on his prowess in front of goal as well.
The winger, who cost £72.9 million when he was acquired from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021, has fallen short of expectations while wearing the red and white of Manchester United, tallying just 11 goals and five assists in 75 games. Given the amount of the fee that the Reds paid for him, he was a star in the making in Germany but now faces the possibility of being one of the Premier League's biggest flops ever.
Sancho traveled to the Netherlands during the World Cup break to concentrate on an individual training program with instructors who had been recommended to him by United manager Ten Hag after losing confidence and failing to make an impact during the first few months of the season.
Sancho, who had been away since late October, made his eagerly awaited comeback on February 1 as the Reds defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal victory at Old Trafford. Sancho came off the bench as a second-half substitute.
Ten Hag grinned brightly as he anxiously awaited his turn to replace Antony on the pitch. One of the season's most endearing scenes, it was.
Sancho's United career seemed to be entering a new era as the nearly £73 million acquisition appeared to be poised to go off without a hitch. Sadly, it was nothing more than a false dawn for the 23-year-old, who has needed some time to catch up.
Since his comeback in February, he has appeared in 23 games and scored three goals. These 23 appearances have been split between starts and cameos, and he has played in three distinct positions: the right wing, the left wing, and through the middle as a No. 10.
Sancho has been unable to establish any form of rhythm to try to get himself back on track because of the lack of continuity. He was initially brought in to address United's long-term right-wing issues, but it was on the left that he ended up playing his greatest game.
However, Sancho's dreams of securing either of those two spots as a regular starter have been dashed as a result of Rashford's success on the left this year and Ten Hag's insistence that Antony be his first-choice right winger. Ten Hag will continue with his £85.5 million pet project even though Antony is still getting used to life in England, especially after being so adamant about including him on his squad last summer.
Sancho is left in a limbo, moving back and forth between the right and left while serving as Rashford and Antony's fallback options. Even worse, Garnacho is currently on a rise and, in the view of many, has surpassed the former Dortmund player in the hierarchy.
However, Garnacho is better suited to play on the left and is currently being looked at as Rashford's backup. Sancho might be requested to fill the role of Antony in that case.
Amad is another competitor for Sancho to go off against for the shirt when you factor in his return. He was originally signed to represent United's right wing for years, but his position in the starting lineup and the squad is currently in doubt.
While it is equally up to Sancho to establish his worth, Ten Hag must find a method to keep him content.
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