Rio Ferdinand has called on Jadon Sancho to do everything he can to be a success at Manchester United after they agreed a £73million fee for the England winger with Borussia Dortmund.
After long-running discussions which have taken place over the last two summers, Dortmund accepted United’s third offer of this window which will see them pay £72.9m – understood to be spread over four years – with no further add-ons.
Sancho is therefore set to complete his move to Old Trafford on a five-year deal and undergo a medical following England’s participation in the Euros.
The 21-year-old has made just one appearance off the bench this summer for Gareth Southgate’s side but has become a star in the Bundesliga, netting 16 goals and recording 20 assists for Dortmund in 2020-21.
And now former United and England centre-back Ferdinand expects Sancho to kick on at Old Trafford, and urged him not to let anything distract him from his goal and to ‘entertain’ and immerse himself in the club.
Asked if he had a message for Sancho ahead of his impeding move, Ferdinand told his FIVE YouTube channel: ‘I don’t need to tell him this because he loves his football, but work hard and make sure everything you do is about being a success at Manchester United and being the best you can be.
‘Don’t let anything sidetrack you. Be yourself, entertain and the end product is what you’re about. Bring that to the table.
‘The energy and the focus should be solely on football. Just immerse yourself in everything about the club, man.’
‘Sancho’s arrived, Sancho’s here! I feel beautiful man,’ an elated Ferdinand also added.
‘This boy, just look at his stats, they don’t lie. In terms of goal involvements he was the second most over three seasons – that’s a fact.
‘He’s got to convert that to the Premier League which is difficult, we’ve seen that, but listen, I believe in Jadon Sancho man.
‘Since he was a kid, he’s had hot press, hot expectations, he had the bravery to leave Man City and go abroad. Personality, character.’
Ferdinand also insisted he expects Sancho to add versatility to United’s attack and claimed no full-back would enjoy facing the Man City youth product next season.
Quizzed on what Sancho will add to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, Ferdinand said: ‘On the right-hand side and the left-hand side, we haven’t got a winger who goes on the outside and can cross the ball. That’s what you need.
‘He can play on the right or the left, he plays with both feet. On that right-wing, as well as Mason [Greenwood] has done and I’m a massive fan of his, this is Manchester United, who are always associated with wingers.
‘At any of our most successful times, there’s been wide players who can cross the ball. For a full-back, it’s terrible news!’
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