‘Give the kid a break!’: Roy Keane jumps to Jadon Sancho’s defence after £73m signing was benched again for West Ham clash as the Manchester United icon insists England winger is still ‘adapting’
- Jadon Sancho was left on the bench again for Manchester United on Saturday
- The £73m star’s signing was overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival
- The Portuguese icon has bumped Sancho down the pecking order
- Roy Keane and Micah Richards came to the youngster’s defence
Jadon Sancho became the forgotten £73m man after Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing but Roy Keane is relaxed about his slow start at Manchester United, calling for patience.
The 21-year-old was dropped to the bench for United’s clash with West Ham in east London, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferring Paul Pogba on the left flank, as Scott McTominay returned from injury to partner Fred in midfield.
Sancho has yet to score or assist for United since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund, but Keane insists there’s no cause for concern.
Jadon Sancho started on the bench for Manchester United’s clash with West Ham United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock move has overshadowed the £73m summer signing’s transfer
‘He’ll be fine,’ the Irishman said on Sky Sports punditry duty.
‘He’s been at the club what, two months. There’s been a lot of changes, new players coming to the club – give the kid a break.
‘He’s still learning his trade, he’s still a young player, big expectations. He’s come to a new club where he’s certainly not going to be star man, he’ll be down the pecking order and he’s got to adapt to all that. Give him a chance.’
Micah Richards added: ‘It’s not worked out for Sancho how we all hoped. Some players settle in straight away and some people take time. He knows he can do better, so far.
Micah Richards and Roy Keane defended the young talent, asking for patience with him
‘At Dortmund his goals and assists were so pivotal but now, Man United is a different level.
‘You’re not just the main player in the team but as long as he keeps working hard, finds a bit of confidence, he can be a key player.’
Sancho faces a fight to reclaim his starting spot, with Greenwood and Pogba Solskjaer’s preferred pairing for now.
Ronaldo’s arrival pushed Greenwood back out to the right wing, where Sancho was expected to play before Manchester City’s interest in the Portuguese icon forced United to sign him from Juventus.
The teenager striker had begun the season with three goals from three games at centre-forward before the Portuguese icon’s debut double against Newcastle.
