Manchester United had two objectives in the transfer window. One was to sign a striker, but finances and lack of creativity prevented that from happening.
The other was to getJadon Sancho out and away as quickly as possible. One of the club’s most highly-paid players was letting his career rot away after a fall-out with Erik ten Hag, sitting on the sidelines for four months.
If the club were ever to recapture a decent amount of the hefty transfer fee paid for him, he needed to go out and play again. A near-perfect solution was found, with Sancho returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan, his former club.
Except, it hasn’t been straightforward. Up until early March, Sancho really struggled for form. One outlet in Germany branded him the worst player on the pitch after a poor display.
How Jadon Sancho has turned it around, for now
Jadon Sancho appears to have turned his form around, with goals in consecutive games, including one in the Champions League. His confidence seems to be returning.
After his performance against PSV Eindhoven, he was praised for performing in a way he would never have tried at Manchester United, getting stuck in, deep in central areas to try and influence the play.
There is real satisfaction about Sancho’s brief resurgence, if a little nervousness that his form could drop off as quickly as he found it.
However, an improved attitude is believed to be giving some at Dortmund confidence that Sancho has turned over a new leaf.
German newspaper BILD reports: “Sancho is now one of the players who comes to the grounds on days off from training, to complete voluntary regeneration exercises.”
This is serious dedication, that his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of.
Perhaps falling out with Erik ten Hag was not the only thing he learned from thelegendary number seven.
Sancho’s behaviour is said to be stark contrast to his first spell in Germany. The outlet report how on his days off, previously, he would take a private jet and fly to England.
Now the private jet has been ditched (something perhaps even beyond Ronaldo) and Sancho is focused on his fitness and career. To be fair, he has a lot of catching up to do.
Jadon Sancho future still unclear
It is unclear what lies ahead for Jadon Sancho once this season is over. He must continue to show Dortmund he is worthy of a big investment, on and off the pitch. Consistency is needed.
Is he willing to drop his wages? How little would Manchester United accept? These questions remains unknown for now.
One possibility is for a decision to be kicked down the road for another 12 months.
BILD report there will be talks held between the two clubs in May, with one likely possibility being a year-long loan. This was first reported by United In Focus back in January.
His contract runs until 2027, so there is no immediate rush to sell, if United want to gamble that his transfer value and pool of suitors can increase with another year in Germany, but if he keeps on performing strongly between now and May, then other clubs might decide to jump into the mix this summer too.