SportEPL: Man Utd sold special player to Chelsea – Maresca
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said Manchester United sold a “special player” in Jadon Sancho to them.
United spent over £70 million to bring Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
But the England winger only made 58 appearances in the Premier League for the Red Devils, scoring nine goals.
Sancho was then offloaded to Chelsea on transfer deadline day after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
The 24-year-old has joined Chelsea on loan until the end of the season, with the Blues agreeing to sign him on a permanent transfer next summer for between £20 and £25 million.
Sancho is yet to open his account under Maresca but has three assists in four Premier League appearances.
Jadon is doing well,” Maresca told a press conference on Friday.
“He needs to continue in the same way; work hard, every day. As I’ve said before, for sure he is going to help us. We really believe that he is a special player.”
Discussing Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Brentford on Saturday, Merson told Sportskeeda: ‘Brentford can score again in the first minute this weekend!
‘If that happens, you never know what’s next for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United. Brentford are free flowing, they will score at Old Trafford, that’s for sure.
Struggling Old Trafford summer signing Joshua Zirzkee
Struggling Old Trafford summer signing Joshua Zirzkee (Picture: Getty)
‘But the problem is that whenever they take the lead, they just can’t seem to hold on to it and win.
‘Manchester United can’t win a game for a toffee anyway, so I’m going for a 2-2 draw in this one.
‘I expect Brentford to cause them problems throughout this game. In terms of Ten Hag’s future, I think he’s alright now. Thomas Tuchel has joined England so that’s another top manager unavailable now.
‘If Manchester United get beat by Brentford and they sack him, that’s not the right way to run the club in my opinion. Now that they’ve decided to back him beyond the international break, I’d be shocked if that happens too.
Erik ten Hag sanctioned United’s move for Zirkzee
Erik ten Hag sanctioned United’s move for Zirkzee (Picture: Getty)
‘A club like Manchester United should not be worried about teams like Brentford, it should be their rivals at the top. It being the opposite now is the harsh reality of where they are as a club.
‘Joshua Zirkzee did well at Bologna, but it’s a different game here in England and especially at Manchester United.
‘You’re always under the microscope at this club, if you miss a chance or not get a chance, it’s always a talking point.
‘What’s his best position? Where do they play him? You’ve also got Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, so that’s four players fighting to be in that front-three.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund
Merson believes Rasmus Hojlund has the edge over Zirzkee (Picture: Getty)
‘And no matter who among them Ten Hag decides to drop, he always gets stick, which is a bit unfortunate.
‘Against Brentford, I’d choose Hojlund over Zirkzee. He’s a better finisher in my opinion and Manchester United will need goals to win this one because Brentford are definitely scoring.’
‘I’d ask Manchester United for Zirkzee’s loan. After all, Manchester United have been making crazy decisions for years,’ Di Canio told Italian publication Tuttosport.
United face Thomas Frank’s Brentford this weekend
United face Thomas Frank’s Brentford this weekend (Picture: Getty)
‘Nothing works there, not even Zirkzee. He’s too slow for the Premier League.
‘Maybe he’ll prove me wrong with goals and big performances, but in the Premier League, defenders are aggressive, and there are 30 per cent fewer fouls [than in Serie A].’
Despite his reservations over Zirzkee, Di Canio believes Juventus should try to sign him on loan.
‘There is so much confusion at Manchester United that they could even give him away on loan. They already have [Rasmus] Hojlund and [Marcus] Rashford, who play in that position,’ Di Canio added.
‘He would be an ideal profile and give Thiago Motta a player with a different skill set to [Dusan] Vlahovic.
‘I’d start negotiations now – a loan with an option to buy. Zikrzee is not a deadly finisher; he won’t score 25 goals, but he makes his team-mates play well.’
Manchester United are just 14th in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday’s home match against Brentford, who have blown hot and cold this
season but are still three places and two points above the Red Devils.
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