Jadon Sancho's lack of game time at Manchester United is "hurting the soul" of the man who sanctioned his £73m move to Old Trafford, Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.
The 21-year-old England international has started only two of United's five Premier League games and was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.
Watzke believes Sancho's slow start at United has been impacted by his failure to secure a regular starting place in the England team. The former Manchester City academy player started just one of seven games at Euro 2020, and withdrew from England's World Cup qualifiers squad earlier this month with a knock.
"Of course, I keep track of what he's doing. It also hurts my soul that he is so neglected," Watzke told SPORT1.
"I love Jadon, when you see him play you get tears in your eyes. I think his problem is that he's not that settled in the English national team."
Winger Sancho has made only one 90-minute appearance for United with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeming to prefer Mason Greenwood on the right.
The deadline day arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo created more competition in United's attacking positions, while Marcus Rashford's potentially imminent return to training will only add to Sancho's challenge of breaking into the starting XI.
Former United midfielder Paul Ince was critical of Sancho's performance in the 1-0 defeat by West Ham in the League Cup last week.
"I know he's still young, I get that he's still learning but this is not a FIFA game, it's not all about dribbling and little flicks, nice when they come off. But play proper football," Ince told The United Stand.
While Sancho, who was a big hit at Dortmund, has not made the instant impact some expected at Old Trafford, Solskjaer has maintained that the signing was made very much with the future in mind.
"We knew his talent, and we signed him with the thought that we are going to have a top forward here for the next 10 or 12 years," the Norwegian said.
"Jadon's finding his feet, it's unfortunate that he fell ill just when he was going to come in, so he was out, and he lost a bit of pre-season. But he is working hard and he will be good."
Neville: 'Odd bunch' Man Utd must play as a team
Speaking on his latest podcast, Gary Neville says Man Utd must learn to play like a team if they are to challenge for the title, and must win a trophy in the next 18 months.
United lost for the third time in four games in all competitions, going down 1-0 at home to Aston Villa on Saturday following their Carabao Cup third-round defeat by West Ham on Wednesday.
After signing Ronaldo, Sancho and Raphael Varane in the summer, Neville says there is pressure on the club to win a trophy in the next 18 months, but he believes the club will see out the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer project, because sacking managers previously has not worked.
Neville also reflects on Manchester City's impressive win at Chelsea on Saturday, as well as Arsenal's north London derby blitz against Tottenham on Super Sunday.
Download the Gary Neville Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox | Spreaker
Pepcmprsu
0
th sml boys must ply ad ply not ply 1game thn out tht is not good
Kelvin Nad
0
Ole style is killing these players
nepcdlmyz
0
Sancho , what is your problem?
Hoydklmntu
1
I love this guy so much I know the don't use him that why he's not perform
Puwabmnoy
0
It will be like this even if we sign all the best player in the world Ole would bench them because he doesn't have the brain, tactics, experience etc. OLE please before you're sack just resign before your name become a joke in football history, you have star stud players and don't know how to use them, clueless is what you are if you have any shame in you it's time you move
skin pain
hiokmopry
0
Cavani urge to sign with boca, sancho ex ceo says the boy will regret, ole urge to resign??? After just a few games??? Wow!!! Manchester United are really the most famous club in the world... Media's dream...
MichaelVLzawna
1
It will be like this even if we sign all the best player in the world Ole would bench them because he doesn't have the brain, tactics, experience etc. OLE please before you're sack just resign before your name become a joke in football history, you have star stud players and don't know how to use them, clueless is what you are if you have any shame in you it's time you move
kingteddy
3
we will get a coach soon
ManUnited-Red
1
he can come back like last season
Chima92
1
The clueless manager is fond of not making good use of his recruits. Whats the point of signing players if you don't make use of them??
StevieGLoves
0
He talks like his brainless. Sancho has played almost all the games since the start of the season. I don't understand why people won't mind their business. Sancho isn't a Dortmund player anymore, so why talk about him in that manner!... He thinks Bundusliga is same as Premier League... Please he should allow Sancho to concentrate on his game and understand the way to play at England.
Because he isn’t good lol
Ledborst
1
Ole is problem. He does not know how to use him.
Correctguy
5
Van Da Beek to Sancho and Watzke.
Viudlmruz
1
he is correct because until now he can't be our first choice in City team
MrAwesome93
1
He talks like his brainless. Sancho has played almost all the games since the start of the season. I don't understand why people won't mind their business. Sancho isn't a Dortmund player anymore, so why talk about him in that manner!... He thinks Bundusliga is same as Premier League... Please he should allow Sancho to concentrate on his game and understand the way to play at England.
epjo
3
the new CR7 is not struggling but is just reading the LEAGUE hope more assists to come SANCHO is the future of MANCHESTER UNITED
Gberto
3
Sancho is like diesel engine, he starts slowly then accelerates. That's what he did last season with Dortmund.
yapdlmnprs
2
come for him....big time flop
butux2020
1
that's how he start last season till he get to his peak
HARRYTS
0
May his soul burst 💥…. Mind ur business
SamiEthioMale
0
it's not his business better he must mind his own business
homacdklo
2
Ole never know how to manage players at all ,but his talking skills is good 👍
Miockmnt
2
but when he is counting the 70 millions, he is smiling, laughing. 🤭
Kkrexuke
2
Coming from a foreign league. always expect him to take some time to adapt.
footymaniac
0
It must be hurting more when you gave Lewa to Bayern for free and get thrashed by them year after year.
Nesinoprtz
1
Ole: We knew his talent, and we signed him with the thought that we are going to have a top forward here for the next 10 or 12 years," the Norwegian said. Not so if you don't play him, which is a shame, because with the ball he's probably you're best player, and you're so termed goal scorers will score undoubtedly less this season with Sancho occupying your bench. But what do I know right, seeing as you're the one with the job eh?
Baeimnrty
1
Baeimnrty
2
Hello
Mgaga
0
Sancho struggles is Solskjaer failure to demonstrate managerial methodology in football.
While Phil Foden is flying ✈
Vazemost
1
Solskjaer is a failure.
Vazemost
2
Sancho struggles is Solskjaer failure to demonstrate managerial methodology in football.
Desmondeyum
1
man united are doing everything they can to get sancho his first goal
Desmondeyum
3
Sancho’s time will come. ⏳
Yorokiri
4
the same way Hazard struggles, hurts true Chelsea fans