Jadon Sancho has roared into life for Manchester United after Ralf Rangnick told him he would have an extended run in the team without the threat of being dropped, according to club legend Rio Ferdinand.
Sancho, 21, only scored twice in his first five months with the Red Devils after completing a £73million summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
But the England international has started the last five games in all competitions, contributing two goals and picking up his first assists in Sunday's Premier League victory at Leeds United.
Sancho is finally replicating the game-changing impact he regularly produced for Dortmund - and he is doing so in the absence of other forwards.
Ferdinand believes the youngster is reaping the rewards of a prolonged period in the starting line-up following Anthony Martial's departure on loan and Mason Greenwood's suspension.
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The former England defender told his Vibe with FIVE podcast : "For someone like Sancho, who has been searching for a bit of form and consistency, the fact that Mason Greenwood is no longer available and (Anthony) Martial is no longer available... There is not that big threat that 'I'm probably not going to play next week' or 'he's (Rangnick's) got a chance to play somebody else'.
"He (Sancho) might have been told behind the scenes, I would argue he probably has been told, 'you're going to play now, you're going to start every game, go make it your own shirt'.
"That confidence lift and shift from looking over his shoulder to, 'no I'm here to play', is a big difference. I think that is now why we're seeing what we're seeing from Sancho right now."
Sancho received special praise from Rangnick after the 4-2 win at Elland Road, but the interim manager was keen to stress there is still plenty of room for improvement from the former Manchester City academy star.
"Jadon is in good shape, not only in the first half but also, in the second half, he had his good moments," Rangnick told BT Sport .
"With Jadon's performances in the last couple of games, I'm very pleased. This is the Jadon we know from the German Bundesliga.
"There is still more space for improvement in him, but the way he is playing right now, it is probably the best Jadon Sancho that Manchester United has seen so far."
Sancho's impressive form means he has a strong case to keep his spot in the side to take on Atletico Madrid in Wednesday night's Champions League last-16 first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.
