KEY POINTS

  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opens up about Cristiano Ronaldo's impact on younger players
  • Solskjaer assures there is a bright future for Jadon Sancho
  • Sancho knows about his difference from the Portuguese striker

The spotlight may be on Cristiano Ronaldo, but Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has plans for Jadon Sancho.

Manchester United was taken to wonderland when Ronaldo decided that he is making his return to Old Trafford.

However, it can be recalled that prior to the Ronaldo frenzy, the Red Devils were yearning for the transfer of Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

As it stands, Manchester United managed to have both exceptionally talented players in its squad.

While many have been buzzing about how the Portuguese striker’s arrival saw Sancho being sidelined, Solskjaer addressed the issue.

The Norwegian assured that there’s no need to panic as the younger guys, particularly Sancho, will be given their time to shine.

"I think you're right, both with Raphael Varane and Cristiano [Ronaldo] coming in, that takes a little bit of pressure off a young man," Solskjaer told Sky Sports ahead of Manchester United’s English Premier League match against West Ham. “[But Sancho’s] 21, he's learning the game, he's learning how we train, he's learning how we play, he's learning the Premier League, but he's come in hungry to learn.”

"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,” he added. “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."

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 134 Champions League goals in 176 games
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 134 Champions League goals in 176 games AFP / Oli SCARFF

Prior to Ronaldo’s move to Manchester United, Sancho had already let the public know about his thoughts on the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

As per Sancho, Ronaldo is already a living legacy, but he is also well aware of his “different attributes.”

“I feel like everyone’s different and I feel like I’ve got different attributes to all the other players,” Sancho told Manchester United’s official website in July. “But obviously Cristiano Ronaldo and what he’s done in his career is a fantastic thing–where he started at Sporting and then he came to Manchester.”

“So it’s always good to see that all these iconic players have come through an iconic club,” he continued.