SUMMARY
- Jadon Sancho is currently playing for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
- He is on loan from Manchester United.
Jadon Sancho and Manchester United is a story that has reached an interval on a sour note but it is better to end the story here rather than stretch it to worse measures.
Sancho joined United amid much fanfare. A Manchester City academy graduate making a name for himself at Borussia Dortmund and joining the red half of Manchester had many fuming in the blue half. However, Sancho and United were the only ones left fuming just over two seasons into his United career.
Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag’s debacle
In 2020/21, Jadon Sancho scored 16 goals and assisted 20 for Dortmund in all competitions. When he signed for United in the summer of 2021, there were high hopes. By his 2020/21 season standards, his first season at United was a huge flop. He made 38 appearances, scored 5 goals, and assisted 3.
𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽.
We have agreed a deal in principle for the transfer of Jadon Sancho to United! 🔴⚪⚫#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 1, 2021
Anyway, the Premier League is one of the toughest leagues in the world. You are expected to take time to settle. Especially, in a club like the current Manchester United which is going through changes at a rapid pace. United fans and management hoped for a better season to come. In 2022/22, however, things did not get better. Sancho played 41 matches in all competitions, scored 7 goals, and assisted 3. These numbers are not good enough at all.
Jadon Sancho made his permanent move to United from Dortmund for over $90 million. Another highly priced acquisition. For Sancho, however, you can justify with the ‘English Tax’ plus he had proven his quality.
United fans and management took their hopes into the 2023/24 season after he reportedly refused to move to Saudi Arabia as United were willing to listen to offers for him. However, the worst was yet to come. Sancho made three Premier League appearances off the bench before being exiled from the squad.
Jadon Sancho speaks out after Erik ten Hag commented on his recent performance in training. pic.twitter.com/cJh0Beb7fe
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 3, 2023
Ten Hag slammed him in an interview claiming he was not training at the United level. Sancho responded on X claiming that he is being made the “scapegoat”. Eventually, it was reported that Sancho needed to apologize to get back into the United squad. The English winger refused to do so and continued to train separately from the team. Day by day his first team privileges were being removed. He did not budge.
Borussia Dortmund came calling for their former starboy Jadon Sancho
In the January transfer window, Dortmund came calling for Jadon Sancho and United were happy to let him go. The English winger had not played for over four months. Dortmund were willing to pay over $4 million plus a part of Sancho’s salary.
ℹ️ We can confirm that Jadon Sancho has joined Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season.
Good luck for the rest of 2023/24, Jadon 🔴#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 11, 2024
In his very first game back in Germany, Sancho assisted a goal. Many claimed he will shine again and get double figures. Although that might not happen as he has not continued his run, he is feeling much more at home. He celebrates with his team and looks like he wants to play for the yellow jersey.
The red jersey does not seem to be his calling. His relationship with Ten Hag is seemingly beyond repair. The Dutch manager is a disciplinarian and Sancho is not ready to apologize.
Jadon Sancho scores his first goal in front of the home fans in Dortmund since May 2021.
And what a time to do it 💛 pic.twitter.com/6U8zvITgqm
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 13, 2024
Monetarily, it will be a loss for United. No chance Dortmund pay anywhere near the fee they received for Sancho. But with his close to $300,000 weekly wage bill off the accounts, United will be happier in the long run. Sancho just needs a good string of games, he can flourish in Dortmund colors again just like he used to. Maybe he is built for the Bundesliga and not for the Premier League.
On the other hand, United will need to find another winger. It is a better option to buy a new winger rather than get Sancho back. An insanely good option will be to bring back Mason Greenwood. We still don’t know where the United hierarchy stands in this situation. But, if Greenwood is back then United’s problem is solved. If not, a new world-class winger is needed. Jadon Sancho will not be that winger. He needs to move to Dortmund permanently.
