Jadon Sancho has been informed that there is still a potential path for his return to Manchester United, contingent on one significant condition. Concurrently, his current loan spell at Borussia Dortmund could bolster his chances of making a late bid for inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
Sancho’s journey with Manchester United began in the summer of 2021 when he was signed for a substantial £73 million fee from Borussia Dortmund, following a protracted pursuit by then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Sancho’s impressive record at Dortmund, where he scored 50 goals and provided 60 assists in 137 appearances, justified the hefty investment, placing him among United’s top five most expensive signings.
However, Sancho’s transition to the Premier League was far from smooth. His performance seldom mirrored the success he had in the Bundesliga. The situation worsened under Erik ten Hag’s management, with Sancho’s career taking a downward turn.
In Ten Hag’s first season, Sancho struggled to secure a consistent place in the team. The situation escalated in September when a public fallout occurred between the two. Sancho accused Ten Hag of using him as a scapegoat and being dishonest about his exclusion from the squad for a match against Arsenal. Consequently, when the January transfer window opened, Manchester United swiftly loaned Sancho back to Borussia Dortmund for the remainder of the season.
Despite initial signs of rustiness, Sancho has quickly readjusted to Dortmund, contributing two assists in his first two matches. His return has been positively received by his teammates. However, Dortmund has indicated that a permanent move is unlikely this summer.
As it stands, Sancho is expected to return to Old Trafford for pre-season training in July, unless Manchester United can secure a permanent transfer for him. Given that Ten Hag’s own future at United is uncertain, former United forward Dimitar Berbatov speculates that Sancho could find a way back into the team—provided Ten Hag is no longer the manager.
Berbatov acknowledges Sancho’s promising start back at Dortmund and believes a strong finish to the season could reignite his chances with the England national team. “Jadon Sancho came on for Dortmund and got an assist, which is a great way to return to his old club,” Berbatov shared with Betfair. “Football can be unpredictable like this. Success in one league doesn’t always translate to another, especially the Premier League. Returning to Dortmund is beneficial for Sancho as he’s back in a familiar environment with supportive teammates.”
Berbatov continued, “If Sancho can regain his form, it would be fantastic. However, I don’t see him playing for Manchester United again under Ten Hag. His chances at United hinge on a managerial change. A strong performance at Dortmund should put him in contention for a spot in Euro 2024.”
While Sancho’s return to United as a regular player requires a series of favorable developments, football often surprises, especially given the volatile nature of managerial tenures and the relentless demand for success in the sport.
