Jadon Sancho has been told that a return to Manchester United is still possible, but it hinges on a crucial condition.
Meanwhile, his ongoing loan at Borussia Dortmund might enhance his chances of securing a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
Sancho joined Manchester United in the summer of 2021 for a hefty £73 million fee from Borussia Dortmund, following a long pursuit by then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
His impressive record at Dortmund, with 50 goals and 60 assists in 137 appearances, justified the investment, placing him among United’s top five most expensive signings.
However, Sancho struggled to replicate his Bundesliga success in the Premier League. Under Erik ten Hag’s management, his situation worsened, and he struggled to secure a consistent place in the team. The situation came to a head in September with a public fallout between the two.
Sancho accused Ten Hag of using him as a scapegoat and being dishonest about his exclusion from a match against Arsenal. Consequently, Manchester United loaned Sancho back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season during the January transfer window.
Sancho initially showed signs of rustiness but quickly readjusted, contributing two assists in his first two matches back at Dortmund.
His return has been well-received by his teammates, although Dortmund has indicated that a permanent move is unlikely this summer.
As things stand, Sancho is expected to return to Old Trafford for pre-season training in July, unless Manchester United can arrange a permanent transfer for him.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future at United, former United forward Dimitar Berbatov speculates that Sancho could return to the team if 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 boost 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 told 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 several favorable developments, the unpredictable nature of football, particularly concerning managerial changes and the constant demand for success, means anything is possible.
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