Sports
What Manchester United wanted to do to Sancho’s career
In a bid to revitalize Jadon Sancho’s fortunes at Old Trafford, Manchester United reportedly attempted to change the winger’s position before his recent loan move back to Borussia Dortmund.
The England international, who fell out publicly with Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag, has returned to the Bundesliga side until the end of the season.
Sancho’s discontent with Ten Hag stemmed from being left out of the matchday squad for the September 2023 clash against Arsenal, where the manager questioned his efforts in training. The winger expressed his frustration, claiming he had been made a ‘scapegoat’ in a now-deleted statement on social media.
The struggles faced by Sancho at Manchester United since his £72 million transfer from Dortmund in 2021 were detailed in a recent report from The Athletic.
Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who signed Sancho, failed to bring out the best in him. Solskjaer experimented with the formation, opting for a back three before his sacking in November 2021. In training, Sancho was deployed as a right wing-back, a position he had never played in his professional career.
Despite these tactical changes not making it to an actual game, they shed light on Sancho’s transformation from a highly anticipated signing to a bit-part player during Solskjaer’s tenure.
Within the club, there is a growing sentiment that more could have been done in the early stages to help Sancho adapt to the demands of Premier League football. With his move back to Borussia Dortmund, the 23-year-old winger aims to recapture his form and contribute to the team’s push for Champions League qualification.
In a statement to Dortmund’s official website, Sancho expressed his excitement, stating,
“When I came into the dressing room today, it felt like ‘coming home.’ I know the club inside and out, I’ve always been very close with the fans here, and I’ve never lost contact with those in charge.
“I can’t wait to see my teammates again, go out on the pitch, play football with a smile on my face, prepare goals, score goals, and help qualify for the Champions League.”
