There have been many false dawns at Manchester United after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson but the start of the new season truly feels like one this time.
It is because the new ownership has made their mark at the club and the changes happening in and around the place have left the fans feeling hopeful.
Therefore, it is important that the more difficult remnants of the previous era no longer associate with the club, be it on the pitch or off it.
Consequently, United have set a deadline for the exit of such players and it is an ambitious one which would be quite a feat if the club manages to achieve it.
Fresh start in pre-season
GIVEMESPORT reports that United have set a deadline of the start of pre-season for the departure of Jadon Sancho, and while that is the ideal case, they are “determined” to get rid before July 15 at the latest.
That is when United squad meets up to face Rosenborg in Norway to play the first match of their pre-season. The squad is expected to come together a week before for pre-season, i.e., July 8.
Of course, players participating in Euros and Copa America will be joining later but unfortunately for United, their two trickiest departures aren’t involved in either.
One is Sancho, of course, and the other is Mason Greenwood, about whom it has been repeatedly said that he will report to pre-season if a move away isn’t sorted before then.
Greenwood is a separate case, but the reunion of Sancho with Erik ten Hag is one that the club is particularly interested in avoiding.
The pair fell out in spectacular fashion after Sancho effectively called Ten Hag a liar when he said he had been dropped due to below-par training displays.
The thawing of relations from such an episode has always felt unlikely despite Sancho impressing in spurts at Borussia Dortmund.
Jadon Sancho transfer is not an easy one to make
Despite showing glimpses of his talent in Germany, it is the legacy of Ed Woodward era that is continuing to cast a shadow at United.
Sancho earns upwards of £250,000/week which is not going to be matched by any interested party considering his performances in the last two or three years.
Inevitably, United will have to take a huge loss in transfer fees for the player, and even still, a loan move might have to be the last resort if clubs realise United are desperate to get rid.
Unlike Greenwood, where reports have insisted he will begin pre-season at Old Trafford if not sold, with even Sir Jim Ratcliffe keeping the door open for his return, however unlikely that might be, there is no such mitigating factor for Sancho.
In such a scenario, reports of United setting a hard deadline to sell the player will hardly do wonders for their negotiating stance, especially if they are in a position where they need to supplement their budget with sales.
