Man United took on Melbourne Victory on Friday in their second pre-season friendly, and Jadon Sancho had Manchester United fans buzzing after a brilliant performance.
New manager Erik Ten Hag repeated his tactic from Tuesday's win over Liverpool of making ten outfield changes at half-time, meaning fans in Melbourne only got to see 45 minutes of Jadon Sancho.
The Englishman certainly made his mark, however, and he was the star of Man United's win over Melbourne Victory.
Man United v Melbourne Victory: Jadon Sancho stars as strong pre-season continues for United
Jadon Sancho arrived at Manchester United last summer, a year later than many at the club had hoped. He struggled during his first season, as the club fell to their worst ever Premier League season and early cup and Champions League exits.
The jury was out on Sancho, who arrived for £76.5m from Borussia Dortmund, with fans hoping that new manager Erik Ten Hag could turn things around for the 22-year-old.
Friday's game between Man United and Melbourne Victory was an encouraging sign that things could be different this season for Sancho.
It is, of course, nothing but a pre-season friendly, but the performance from Sancho nonetheless had United fans excited. He was central to all of the team's attacking play, as they took a 2-1 lead into half-time. His through ball to Diogo Dalot in the lead up to Anthony Martial's first-half goal was the highlight of a dazzling first-half performance.
✌️ in ✌️ for @AnthonyMartial 🇫🇷#MUFC || #MUTOUR22
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 15, 2022
Sancho was one of the brightest Bundesliga talents during his time with Borussia Dortmund, but Manchester United fans only received brief glimpses of his dribbling ability during his first season at the club.
He has been the team's best performer in pre-season thus far, also scoring a tidy finish during Tuesday's win over Liverpool.
Friday's game saw Man United take a 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory, thanks to further goals from Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford and an own goal forced by a dangerous Tahith Chong cross.
Fortune favours the brave 🤝
🎯 @McTominay10#MUFC || #MUTOUR22— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 15, 2022
Naturally, Manchester United fans on Twitter were hugely excited by Jadon Sancho's first-half brilliance.
That Man Utd's second goal was all Jadon Sancho.
Started with a little 1-2 and then a defence-splitting pass.
WHAT A PLAYER!!! pic.twitter.com/QIhmHMMMET— UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) July 15, 2022
Sancho’s iso game >>>pic.twitter.com/3CJw1G7st6
— ًEllis. (@EIIisV3) July 15, 2022
Jadon Sancho man.
What a player— Breezy (@BreezyUTD) July 15, 2022
Jason Sancho is a joy to watch - he makes football look easy! pic.twitter.com/oQSNeNKLDU
— Aidan Walsh 🔰 (@AidanWalshMUFC) July 15, 2022
it’s almost like sancho was always a world class player playing in the worst utd team to ever exist pic.twitter.com/rQ0rqEVtF6
— J… (@yehsmacked) July 15, 2022
Jadon Sancho is going to be an absolute gem next season 👍 pic.twitter.com/pleNWim0qT
— United Galactico 🏴 (@galactico_mufc) July 15, 2022
Jadon Sancho on the right gives the team an insane level of creativity.
— Oliver (@Oliveresuana) July 15, 2022
Sancho has been amazing again, literally everything has gone through him
— . (@utdcynical) July 15, 2022
Jadon Sancho has been excellent again today. Almost everything has gone through him.
He’s going to absolutely thrive as a wide creator under Erik ten Hag. #mufc— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) July 15, 2022
This has got to be Jadon Sancho's #MUFC team now. The heartbeat of the collective body. He looks sharp and motivated, full of energy & purpose. Give him the No. 7 when it's free, let him be the superstar Ten Hag needs. This looks like BVB Jadon. #MUTOUR22 #ThePromisedLand pic.twitter.com/6s3mItA7oS
— Rob Blanchette (@_Rob_B) July 15, 2022
A pre season friendly is one thing, but delivering this kind of form in the Premier League will be the real test of Sancho's ability.
Erik Ten Hag will be thrilled with the potential shown in the pre-season tour so far, however. If Jadon Sancho can produce performances like Friday's on a regular basis, Manchester United may well have a far more dangerous prospect on their hands.
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