Sancho 'may take time' to get into shape for United, says Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Jadon Sancho ‘may take some time’ before getting into ‘top shape’ for Manchester United as the Norwegian admits £73m winger ‘hasn’t trained much’ ahead of season opener against Leeds United
- Jadon Sancho joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for £73m
- But the club’s new winger is not in a top condition, admits Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- The Norwegian boss said it could ‘take some time’ before he is up to scratch
- But he insists the England star will be ‘very important’ to the club this season
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Jadon Sancho ‘may take some time’ to get into a top condition having arrived at the club late from Euro 2020.
Sancho is the club’s marquee signing of the summer having joined from Borussia Dortmund for £73million after being tracked by the Red Devils for some time, and fans will be excited to see him in action this season.
But Solskjaer – who is preparing the team for their Premier League season opener against Leeds United on Saturday – has warned that no one should expect him to be flying from the very first game after a lack of training.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) has pleaded for patience from United’s new signing Jadon Sancho (L)
The United boss warned it ‘may take some time’ for the winger to get into a top condition
Sancho is expected to start on his debut against Marcelo Bielsa’s men at Old Trafford, according to reports, and while his boss has urged caution and patience over the start of his spell, he believes the player will be ‘very important’ for the team this season and give them ‘happy moments’.
‘He has had a holiday after the European Championships and then he has been a little sick, unfortunately,’ he told Norwegian outlet TV2, via Goal.
‘He has had one-and-a-half training sessions with us, so he has not trained much.
He said he had only trained for one and a half sessions ahead of season opener against Leeds
Sancho – who cost £73m – will be ‘very important’ for the team this season, insists Solskjaer
‘It may take some time before he gets into top shape, but throughout the season he will be very important to us.
‘He is a player I am sure will give us many happy moments in the years to come.’
United are looking to rebuild after their agonising Europa League final penalty shootout loss to Villarreal last season and are awaiting the arrival of high profile centre-back Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, set to join for £42m.
The Red Devils endured a poor start to the last campaign, and Solskjaer is keen for his side to make a good start ahead of their Roses derby with Leeds – as he challenged his players to ‘gain momentum’ and put together an early bid for the Premier League title.
The coach has challenged his side to build ‘momentum’ after a slow start to the last campaign
‘We lost three or four of the first home games last season, I do not remember exactly. We will not do that this year,’ he added.
‘You have to start well, gain momentum. Last year we were second, the year before we finished third, so there is progression. You have to be on top form from the first to the last match.
‘We were stable from the start of November to May, when we lost one match. If we manage to recreate it, we can help fight for things in March, April, May.’
United face Leeds in the early kick off at 12.30pm on Saturday – before two away games at Southampton and Wolves in a relatively forgiving start to the season.
The team have a great chance to haul themselves up the table as they do not face a top six rival until October 26 – when they welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford.
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