Manchester United made a huge mistake this summer after re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo and essentially forcing Jadon Sancho into becoming a bit-part player, says John Barnes.

The iconic Premier League winger has had his say on United’s marquee summer signing, who was quickly shoved from the limelight by Ronaldo’s homecoming.

United had tracked Sancho for two years and fended off a host of European rivals in finally managing to prise him from Dortmund in a £73m deal, rising to an eye-watering £150m.

Yet the youngster has found himself relegated to the bench under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and cannot get a regular run in the side because of Ronaldo’s presence.

Sancho is now feeling the repercussions, after losing his place in the senior England squad for the final two World Cup qualifying matches against Andorra and San Marino.

Commenting on the unfolding situation at United, Barnes told BonusCodeBets: ‘Sancho would have been told that he’s the future, but he’s now a bit-part player.

‘The Sancho signing wasn’t necessarily a mistake. Maybe the Ronaldo signing was a mistake.

‘How many main men do you want, rather than having others who can compliment that. The balance of Manchester United isn’t right.’

‘Sancho came in for £80m to be one of the main attacking players but now he’s got to sit on the bench, so how can we see more from him?

‘That’s why I feel sorry for him, and Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood to a certain degree. Ronaldo and Fernandes dominate the attacking impetus of the team.’