Jadon Sancho is 'the big winner' at Manchester United thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani's absence at Old Trafford, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Red Devils forked out £73million to sign the winger from German side Borussia Dortmund last summer and he has begun to make a telling impact.

What's the latest news involving Sancho?

Sancho came through the ranks at Manchester United's arch-rivals Manchester City and he came back to haunt his former club at the weekend.

The 21-year-old got his name on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium and although it pegged the reigning Premier League champions back, it was not enough to stop Manchester United falling to a 4-1 defeat.

Sancho headed onto social media to apologise to the Red Devils fans after the derby setback and insisted he and his team-mates 'will keep on fighting'.

The winger's importance was emphasised due to Ronaldo - another summer arrival - not being in the squad, which left the Portuguese furious with interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

Rangnick insisted the medical department advised him not to include Ronaldo in his squad due to experiencing more hip problems, while Cavani was unable to feature despite returning to training at Carrington.

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What has Dean Jones said about Sancho?

Jones believes Sancho's importance to Manchester United has come to the fore as a result of the uncertainty over Ronaldo and Cavani's respective futures.

The transfer insider feels the former Dortmund wide-man is in pole position to profit from the situation, along with youngster Anthony Elanga.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "Sancho is the big winner here and he's got to play because they haven't really got anybody else other than him and Elanga.

"It's bizarre that it's come to this."

Is Sancho capable of becoming the key man?

Sancho has failed to be clinical since heading to Manchester United last summer, having contributed just seven goal involvements in 31 outings, but he has already shown he is a huge talent during the early stages of his career.

The winger has found the back of the net 55 times at senior club level, while he has earned 23 England caps thanks, in particular, to his Borussia Dortmund performances.

Rangnick's arrival at Old Trafford as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's short-term successor in November has allowed Sancho to begin to show Manchester United supporters why the Red Devils parted with such a substantial sum for his services.

That is because his playing time has increased under Rangnick and Sancho has racked up two goals and as many assists over the course of the last month.