Jadon Sancho puts Man Utd misery behind him to deliver on Roy Keane’s England challenge

Gareth Southgate: Andorra v England press conference

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Jadon Sancho has suffered a difficult start to his Manchester United career after moving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, but the 21-year-old took full advantage of his England start on Saturday, much to the delight of Roy Keane.

Jadon Sancho starred for England as Gareth Southgate’s men beat Andorra 5-0, taking a huge step towards World Cup qualification in the process.

It was the Manchester United summer signing that set up the opener as he received Phil Foden’s pinpoint ball, and laid it off to Ben Chilwell who scored his first ever goal for England, and Foden set up Buyako Saka shortly before half-time as England went into the break with a two-goal advantage.

Sancho’s teasing cross was turned in by Tammy Abraham on the hour mark as England made it three, and James Ward-Prowse added a fourth as he tapped in the rebound after seeing his initial penalty saved.

Jack Grealish finally got off the mark for England as he twisted and turned before finding the net late on, as Southgate’s side ran riot.

It was a comfortable night for England, and a much needed performance by Sancho, who rose to Roy Keane’s challenge.

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Sancho signed for United this summer after arriving from Borussia Dortmund for £73million, but has endured a slow start to life at Old Trafford after lighting up the Bundesliga.

The 21-year-old is yet to register a single goal or assist since arriving in the summer, but looked back to his best against Andorra, while sporting the England no.11 shirt.

Ahead of kick-off, Roy Keane urged Sancho to take this opportunity, as he said: “It’s certainly been a slow start for him, it’s all well and good doing well at Dortmund but it’s a different animal going to Man United, big expectations.

“Maybe overshadowed slightly with Ronaldo coming in but I’d always give the kid a chance, he’s been there a few months, nice opportunity for him tonight but give him a chance.”

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Sancho was given a chance by Southgate, and the opportunity paid dividends for player and manager, in what was a fabulous audition to prove to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that the Englishman is more than capable.

The 21-year-old may be new to Old Trafford, but he certainly isn’t new to Manchester as Sancho originally played for Manchester City’s youth academy, but joined Dortmund as a 17-year-old.

Dortmund paid £8m for the youngster, but was a gamble that certainly paid off as Sancho scored 50 goals and recorded 64 assists in 137 games for the club during his four seasons in Germany before making the big-money move.

United fans shouldn’t be too concerned, as Sancho made a slow start to his Dortmund career also, although he was considerably younger.

Keane was impressed with Sancho at half-time, as he said: “I think Sancho’s looked sharp, he’ll be getting confidence from the game, his first touch has been decent, he’s positive, he’s trying to beat people that’s obviously one of his strengths.

“Looks like he’s getting that confidence back. I think Abraham has to tidy up a little bit more, he’s been a bit loose in his touches, he’s got to impress Gareth with the chances that he’s getting he just needs to tidy up a bit more.”

Keane’s encouragement worked for a second time, as Abraham got on the scoresheet thanks to Sancho’s assist, and the United summer signing may not only have put himself in Southgate’s good books, but also with Solskjaer as he looks to lay down a consistent role within the United team.

If Sancho can break into the United side and replicate a similar assist record to the impressive one he set at Dortmund, it could work wonders for Solskjaer, who has a certain Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line, and is already on red-hot form since re-signing for the club.

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