Manchester United announced on Friday that they had finalized the £73 million signing of Jadon Sancho on a five-year agreement with a 12-month extension option. Sancho, whose transfer to Old Trafford was agreed in principle on July 1, had his medical earlier this month following his involvement in the Euro 2020 tournament. After four years in the Bundesliga with Dortmund, where he scored 50 goals in 137 appearances, the 21-year-old joins the Premier League team. Both clubs were in contact about Sancho in the summer of 2020, but Dortmund refused to budge on their £100 million valuation at the moment.
BVB accepted the lower offer 12 months later due to the financial impact of the pandemic. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that United needs two or three signings in the summer window, and Sancho's arrival might now solve the club's problem position, with Mason Greenwood's superb contribution masking the club's vulnerability on the right flank. So, now that Sancho's signature has been confirmed, how could United line up? Here, we've taken a deeper look:
4-2-3-1: Sancho as a wide right midfielder
Sancho would naturally fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 4-2-3-1 formation on the right-wing, producing an enticing attacking midfield trio alongside Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford. After a strong finish to the season, Edinson Cavani's contract was extended, and Mason Greenwood would likely be preferred over Anthony Martial until a new striker is signed. Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Sancho, and Edinson Cavani make up United's attacking quartet in this formation. Pogba and Bruno could also play in this setup. United may launch a genuine title threat if Cavani's world-class movement is combined with Sancho's creative flair. Below is the lineup:
Dean Henderson
Wan Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw
McTominay, Paul Pogba
Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford
Cavani
4-3-3: Sancho as a right-winger
Sancho used to play as a right-winger at Dortmund and he would quickly adapt to this role at Manchester United. Cavani would start with Sancho and Rashford/Greenwood. Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, and Fernandes may form a midfield trio to help Sancho and his teammates from behind. If no fresh additions are made, just the competition to partner Paul Pogba between Fred and McTominay should be contested farther down the pitch. United are also believed to be looking for a center-back, such as Raphael Varane, but Victor Lindelof will continue to be Harry Maguire's preferred partner for the time being. Below is the lineup:
Dean Henderson
Wan Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw
Paul Pogba, McTominay, Bruno Fernandes
Sancho, Cavani, Rashford
4-3-3: Sancho as a left-winger
After opting to have shoulder surgery, Rashford is expected to miss the first two months of the season, so Sancho might step in the left-wing position, however, this appears to be the strongest team when he returns. Cavani would naturally be the preference for the number 9 position. Greenwood has been excellent on the right-wing and he could partner Cavani and Sancho upfront. The midfield would be Pogba, Bruno, and McTominay. Below is the lineup:
Dean Henderson
Wan Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw
Paul Pogba, McTominay, Bruno Fernandes
Greenwood, Cavani, Sancho
3-5-2: Sancho as a right midfielder
Manchester United haven’t deployed 3 at the back formation more often under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Mourinho used to deploy this formation and it really worked well with the set of players United had at that time. Sancho would play wide in the formation on the right flank instead of Aaron Wan Bissaka. Wan Bissaka’s attacking contribution is very less as he’s a more defensive-minded right-back. United could deploy Maguire, Lindelof, and Bailly at the back, with Luke Shaw and Sancho on the wide flanks. Pogba, McTominay, and Bruno would form the midfield trio. Rashford and Cavani could be the choice for the two strikers upfront.
Dean Henderson
Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire
Sancho, Pogba, McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw
Cavani, Rashford
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