Rio Ferdinand, the Manchester United icon, has raised questions for Jadon Sancho following his exceptional performance during Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Thursday.
He emphasized Sancho’s display and playing style, attributing Dortmund’s victory largely to the dazzling performance Sancho delivered.
Sancho, who had initially struggled to adapt at Man United before joining Dortmund on loan this season, seemed to have rediscovered his form during Wednesday’s match against PSG.
The English star showcased moments of brilliance, drawing praise from Ferdinand, who was impressed by his finesse on the field.
He caused significant troubles for PSG, skillfully maneuvering past defenders with his exceptional dribbling abilities.
Reflecting on Sancho’s performance post-match, Ferdinand urged the player to shed light on the reasons behind his lacking form at United, where he fell short of realizing his full potential.
During an interview with TNT Sports after the match, Ferdinand exclaimed, “He’s out here embarrassing top-tier players. Dropping them to the ground, making them dance.”
Continuing his analysis, Ferdinand remarked, “Today he showcased a prowess that has been absent, maybe since his stint at Dortmund.”
“He isn’t just about running past players with speed. He’s a tactician who engages in intricate plays, contributing to the overall tempo of the game,” Ferdinand added.
He further expressed curiosity about Sancho’s tenure at Manchester United, questioning the reasons behind the lackluster performance there.
“What went wrong at Manchester United? Was it disillusionment, lack of playtime, the pressure associated with the club’s stature?” Ferdinand pondered.
“Can the manager be blamed for failing to optimize his potential? Perhaps the physicality of the Premier League posed a challenge?” he speculated.
“There are numerous factors to consider. Only Jadon holds the answers. However, witnessing his display in the Champions League semi-final reinstates his caliber,” Ferdinand concluded.