Darren Fletcher has hit out at Manchester United fans ‘outraged’ and frustrated with their long-running pursuit of Jadon Sancho and says the club should wait to sign the Borussia Dortmund star rather than panic buying a ‘stop-gap’ this summer.
United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identified Sancho as his number one attacking target at the start of the transfer window but Dortmund appear to have ruled out a move for the 20-year-old England international ahead of next month’s deadline.
As a result, the Red Devils have begun scouring the market for alternative options and are exploring a possible loan move for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele, a player linked with the Old Trafford giants for some time.
However, Fletcher hopes his former club resist the urge to bring in a short-term solution and instead remain patient with their bid to land Sancho.
‘If you add Jadon Sancho to that Manchester United team, do they instantly go and challenge for the title? No,’ the ex-United and Scotland midfielder argued on Sky Sports.
‘People are outraged that they aren’t adding Jadon Sancho because that means we can’t challenge for the title.
‘I still think he [Solskjaer] feels that if he can bridge the gap between them and Liverpool and Manchester City… you’ve got to bridge the gap first before you can overtake them.
‘And I feel like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the club are willing to be patient and if it means not signing Jadon Sancho this summer, adding in other areas, having another season with this team and improving, getting another year older and then adding Jadon Sancho next summer.
‘What’s wrong with that if it’s the right player? If that’s your main target, why not wait for him instead of signing a stop-gap and risk missing out on Jadon Sancho?
Solskjaer faced heavy criticism in the wake of United’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace which frustrated Fletcher, who urged fans to have a more long-term outlook.
‘As long as the board are listening and trusting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I’m happy with whatever the transfer market may be for the next few weeks,’ he added.
‘Too many fans are short-termist and reactionary.
‘Ole would have picked this lineup before the Palace game and he’s stuck to his guns.
‘It’s all about the long term for him.’
The Red Devils are in talks to sign Alex Telles but are yet to tempt Porto with a suitable offer for the left-back.
It’s understood Porto have slapped a £23million price tag on the Brazil international.
