Jadon Sancho could help Manchester United’s new ‘rough diamond’ shine

The clamour for a striker is all but over but while all eyes were focused on the transfer window this summer, Erik ten Hag quietly went about forging another United striker option.

It’s abundantly obvious why Manchester United are in so much need of a new quality front-man after a season in which they only managed a meagre 58 Premier League goals. Ten Hag’s achievements in his first campaign are even more impressive when you consider he basically went the whole season without one.

Cristiano Ronaldo was never going to suit the system and left in a huff halfway through, Anthony Martial was perennially injured and Wout Weghorst just wasn’t up to it. If it wasn’t for Marcus Rashford roaring back to form and putting in good displays up front when asked upon despite it not being his best position, United wouldn’t be where they are now.

A new No.9 was a necessity this summer and though a new midfielder and goalkeeper ended up taking precedence, it was always a top priority. Now that hunt has come to an end with the imminent arrival of Rasmus Hojlund.

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The Danish starlet has completed his medical ahead of his £72million deal from Atalanta, which is expected to be confirmed this weekend. It’s a very steep price for a player who, while having sky-high potential, is yet to realise it.

Hojlund has only 33 senior career goals to his name and scored nine times in Serie A last season. Not bad numbers for a player who is just 20 but he can not be expected to have an Erling Haaland-esque impact at Old Trafford. Haaland is a freak of nature and no one should be compared to him, even a man from the same region of the world with a similar-sounding name and blond hair.

Senior figures at the club concede Hojlund is a ‘rough diamond’ who is going to be under immense pressure which will only going to intensify if Harry Kane leaves Tottenham for Bayern Munich. It’s accepted that Hojlund might not be incredible in his first campaign and start every match but there is confidence he could develop into an elite goal scorer under Ten Hag’s tutelage.

But until that day, Hojlund is going to need help from his new teammates. Rashford will have to keep his excellent performances up and may have to spearhead the attack on occasion. When he’s fit Martial may well be called on to lead the line given a departure is looking unlikely.

Then there is Jadon Sancho, perhaps the most important of all. Ten Hag’s project this summer has been to develop Sancho as a central attacker. The natural winger has started all but one first-team friendly up front and came on in the other in that position as well. He has looked lively and sharp as the fulcrum of attack, able to come deep to be involved in the build-up as well as stretching defenders by running beyond them. His goal against Arsenal was an example of the latter as he latched on to a mistake and ran the length of the half before an emphatic finish.

Sancho is looking comfortable as a centre forward, as though he finally has a role in the team after a disappointing first two seasons. Whether it be on the right or left, the 23-year-old has not been able to put a consistent run of performances together. Injuries and personal issues have played their part but with Rashford and Antony the first-choice wingers and Alejandro Garnacho behind them, there isn’t a place for Sancho on the flanks anymore.

But instead of consigning him to the scrap heap, Ten Hag has looked at his qualities and seen where else he could be of use, conveniently in a role United are lacking in. If Sancho can continue to develop in the position and rediscover the cutting edge he had at Dortmund, he might just be able to turn his United career around.

At the same time, he lessens the burden on Hojlund to be an overnight success by sharing striker duties and ensuring Rashford can continue to play in his strongest position on the left. Everybody wins. Ten Hag has given several of his players challenging new roles to solve problems in his side and the latest could be his best move yet.