Former Premier League striker, Gabriel Agbonlahor has wondered why Jadon Sancho is starting games ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
Agbonlahor believes the England winger only passes the ball backwards and does not make attempts to take on players.
Ronaldo will be frustrated over Ten Hag’s decision to field Sancho ahead of the Portugal international
Sancho has not been the same player he was at Borussia Dortmund since moving to Old Trafford in 2020 and has struggled for form and confidence under Ten Hag.
The 37-year-old Portugal captain was left out of Manchester United’s squad against Chelsea as punishment for defying Erik ten Hag and Agbonlahor feels that though the punishment was well deserved, the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar should be drafted back into the team.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT that among Manchester United’s forwards, Sancho looks completely out of shape when compared with the likes of Antony, Marcus Rashford and even Bruno Fernandes.
“Sancho, he gets the ball and passes it backwards,” he said.
The former Premier League star noted that the England international’s confidence is low.
“He’s being brought off after 52 minutes for Fred. How many times do you have to play him?” He added.
“If you’re Ronaldo you’re probably thinking ‘how many chances is this guy going to get?’ Elanga, how many times is Sancho going to get the chance to play for Manchester United because he’s not performing and he’s a million miles away from a chance to play at the World Cup.
“Ronaldo could have made all the difference if selected at Stamford Bridge.
“Ronaldo deserved to be left out for this game, it was the right punishment but going forward this is why Ten Hag has said that he wants Ronaldo for the season.
“This is the sort of game where they’re missing Ronaldo. It’s not working with Sancho on the left. Antony I like, Rashford could be pushed onto the left with Ronaldo up front because Sancho doesn’t take anyone on.
According to him, the game against Chelsea was a perfect one for Cristiano Ronaldo if not for the punishment he is serving.
