Jadon Sancho is running out of time to prove Antony right at Manchester United

Almost two years since swapping Borussia Dortmund for Manchester United, Jadon Sancho is still searching for his breakthrough moment at Old Trafford.

After an underwhelming first season in M16, impacted by the collective difficulties United encountered, there was renewed optimism that the winger would flourish at the second attempt under Erik ten Hag. Sancho was one of the Reds' standout players on the pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand last summer, scoring three goals in four matches.

He linked up nicely with the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, offering everyone renewed hope that he would thrive in a Ten Hag system built on pace and fluidity in forward areas. However, the £85.5million capture of Antony from Ajax quickly dented his hopes of remaining a regular starter.

United had signed Sancho in July 2021 to end their pursuit of a long-term right-winger. The arrival of Antony just over 12 months later meant the Reds had invested almost £160million in two right-sided forwards in next to no time.

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In the Reds' defence, the best of Sancho's performances in his first season at Old Trafford had come on the left, meaning there was logic behind Ten Hag's decision to be reunited with Antony, who also made the switch from Ajax. However, Sancho was never likely to get ahead of Rashford in the pecking order for a start every week - and so it proved.

Sancho has struggled to ever get into any sort of rhythm since joining United and he was bereft of confidence by the time he was sent to the Netherlands to work on an individual training programme during the World Cup break towards the end of last year. He worked with coaches recommended to him by Ten Hag and