The Red Devils star has expressed his belief that a big-money summer signing has been lacking a ‘bit of luck’ at the start of his Old Trafford career
Luke Shaw has insisted that Jadon Sancho isn’t struggling at Manchester United while backing his team-mate to go “right to the very top”.
Sancho completed a long-awaited £73 million ($100m) switch to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in July, committing to a five-year contract with the option of an extra year.
The 21-year-old has been unable to hit the ground running at United, though, failing to record a goal or assist in his first eight appearances, and questions are now being asked over whether he has the mettle to succeed in the Premier League.
Shaw hails ‘unbelievable’ Sancho
Shaw acknowledged the fact that fortune hasn’t been smiling on Sancho at the start of his career with the Red Devils, but has seen enough of his ability in training to be certain that he will soon unleash his best form.
“Sometimes, for people, it takes time,” the United full-back, who is currently away on England duty with Sancho, told talkSPORT. “I wouldn’t say struggle because I don’t think he’s struggling at the moment. He’s working extremely hard behind closed doors.
“He’s training really well and looking really sharp. He just hasn’t had that bit of luck that sometimes you need for your first goal or first assist. But I’ve got no doubt in my mind, it’s coming.
“The talent he has is unbelievable, he can go right to the very top. It’s just about him staying focused, keep doing what he’s doing in training and working hard. His time will come.”
Ronaldo already ‘setting standards’ at Old Trafford
One man who has had a huge impact since joining United in the summer is Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in a £20m ($27m) deal on deadline day.
The Portuguese was a talismanic figure during his first spell at the club between 2003 and 2009, and has scored five goals in his first six outings for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side this term, with Shaw left in awe by how dedicated he is to his craft.
“He’s definitely raised the levels,” he said of Ronaldo. “I think there’s no question why he’s been one of the best players in the world over the last 10 years. The way he conducts himself, the standards he sets, and his mentality is one of the best I’ve ever witnessed.
“It’s only good for us as team-mates to be surrounded by someone like that, who will only raise the bar. We need to follow that. Everywhere he goes, he wins, and the standards he sets are so high. We need to equal those standards and push in the right direction with him as a team.
“I haven’t had to mark him yet [in training]. But he’s very sharp, always in the right position to score the goals, and his movement is one of the best I’ve ever seen. It’s no surprise he’s still scoring goals and has been for many years because he’s always in the right place at the right time. That’s a sign of a world-class player.”
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