Why Jadon Sancho will benefit from Man Utd's January transfer window
Stefan Bienkowski
- 27 Jan 2022 11:40 CST
- 8 min read
Jadon Sancho hasn’t enjoyed the best start to life at Manchester United but this season’s January transfer window may finally have offered him an opportunity to finally make his mark on the Old Trafford side.
To date, the former Borussia Dortmund star has managed just two goals in 23 games across all competitions.
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And while much of that is down to his own poor form, Sancho has also been the victim of circumstance in Manchester. Where he’s had to face some tremendous competition for a starting role in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ralf Rangnick’s teams.
However, with the January transfer window, that long list of competitors has been whittled down and Sancho may now have a clear route to regular playing time and, possibly, a turnaround in form.
Rangnick thinning out his attacking options
Prior to the turn of the year, there were no less than nine players that could and often did play in Sancho’s left wing position at Man Utd. However, that number is now falling at an astonishing speed.
The first major competitor was Anthony Martial, who had been linked with a move away from the club for some time and finally got it this week when he made the move to Sevilla on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.
Then, a few days later, Amad Diallo - a winger Man Utd spent around €23 million signing - followed suit and left to join Scottish Premiership side Rangers on loan. Two down, a few more to go.
Indeed, before the window closes, Sancho could see no less than two other competitors for his position move on in the form of Jesse Lingard and Tahith Chong. The former is still expected to move on to Newcastle United or West Ham, while the latter could return to Birmingham City on loan when he returns to full fitness.
Man Utd players set to leave in the summer
And the good fortunes for Sancho may not end there. Alongside the four aforementioned players, Man Utd could see even more attacking talent leave the club at the end of the season.
Edinson Cavani is widely expected to leave the club for a move to South America in the summer and Juan Mata should also depart when his own contract comes to an end.
If Sancho is really lucky, he may even see other high-profile competitors like Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo move on too. The former has an expiring contract that is unlikely to be renewed and the reports about the latter leaving if Man Utd don’t finish in the top four have only gained momentum as the season has gone on.
By the start of next season, Man Utd could have bid farewell to no less than four or five players that have directly competed for game time against Sancho this season.
