Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince believes Jadon Sancho has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League because it is a step up in quality from the Bundesliga.
The England international completed a £72.9million switch from Borussia Dortmund to Old Trafford last July and was expected to immediately replicate the levels of success that he enjoyed during his four-year stay at the Signal Iduna Park.
However, the winger, who will be hoping to play a part in England's World Cup campaign in Qatar later this year, has struggled to live up to expectations, scoring just four goals and failing to grab a single assist in 26 appearances in all competitions so far this term.
Nevertheless, two of Sancho's four United goals have come in his last three appearances, suggesting that, along with his recent upturn in performances, his Reds career is about to spark into life, offering the club encouragement that he could enjoy a successful run of form between now and the end of the season.
Ince, who played for United between 1989 and 1995, experienced playing abroad during his career, spending two years at Inter Milan, meaning he knows how difficult it can be for player from overseas to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Ince told Genting Casino : "When you go to Germany and play for one of the big clubs like Dortmund, it's not as good as the Premier League.
"They're beating teams 3-0 or 4-0 and Sancho's getting two goals and doesn't have to track back. It's pretty easy for him unless you're playing against Bayern or one of the top teams. The Premier League's different and you don't get as much time - and I know that because I played in Italy.
"It was a big move for Sancho. When I first came to United I was 21 and it takes time to find your feet as a young kid. It didn’t help that at the start of the season he was playing left-wing.
"He might have lost a bit of confidence, but the fans have always been great with him."
Aged just 21-years-old, Sancho has a massively exciting future ahead of him and should only get better with the more experience he earns.
"You need a good team around you that's performing well," Ince continued. "The last two games he seems to have grasped it, and he will get better. It's not his fault he cost £75million.
"He's got plenty of years ahead of him."
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