Manchester United’s $100M Star 'Victim' Of Poor Performances Under Solskjaer: Gary Neville [Watch]

Gary Neville has defended Jadon Sancho, saying the young winger is a "victim" of Manchester United’s recent poor performances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Sancho made a sensational move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United at $100 million during the 2021 summer transfer window. Unfortunately, the Englishman has struggled to live up to the price tag as he is yet to be involved in a goal for the Red Devils. In 10 competitive appearances in the 2021-22 campaign, Sancho is yet to score a goal or provide an assist.

Following a great start to the season, Solskjaer’s side is suffering a major dip in form. In the last seven matches, Manchester United have dropped points five times, including their 4-2 loss to Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday. Sancho, who grabbed two assists for England against Andorra during the recent international break, failed to replicate the same performance against Leicester.

The 21-year-old winger started the game at the King Power Stadium but could not make an impact during his stay of 65 minutes on the field. Sancho, who has been on the receiving end of massive criticism, was once again on the radar after the Old Trafford side’s defeat in Leicester.

Coming in defense of Sancho, former Red Devil Neville said that the former will begin to shine once Solskjaer’s side begins to play well in the remaining season.

“Sancho at this moment, he’s a victim of the current performances of the team. You’d like a player like that to come into a settled unit and he’s just still finding his feet. I did think he played well in the last 20 minutes against Everton a couple of weeks ago. But he shouldn’t be the focus point of any criticism at this moment in time. Yes, of course, you’re going to get criticism as a United player signed for that level of money but again that would be a distraction,” Neville said in a video he posted on his Instagram account.

Sancho, who can play as both left-winger and attacking midfielder, had a terrific spell with Dortmund, where he began his senior career during the 2017-18 season. Sancho finished his Dortmund career with 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 competitive appearances.

Meanwhile, Neville, who played only for Manchester United during his club career, went on to add that Solskjaer needs to get the balance in the team that comprises stars such as Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba to name a few.

"I think they have to get the balance of the team right. Sancho, Fernandes, Pogba, Ronaldo and Greenwood are all in the same team, you’re going to have to get three or four of them to work like they’ve never worked before if that team is going to win against good teams because it doesn’t work hard enough out of possession," added Neville in the same video.

Earlier, Sancho had also received support from his Manchester United teammate Luke Shaw, who said the winger's "time will come."

Manchester United's upcoming fixture is a home game against Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday.