Jadon Sancho reportedly wants to rejoin Borussia Dortmund in the upcoming January transfer window, according to 90min.
The 23-year-old made the switch to the Red Devils from Dortmund in 2021 in a deal worth £73m. However, his journey at Old Trafford has not been smooth, with the winger finding limited game time over the past two years. A clear indicator of his current standing was his omission from the squad for United’s recent 3-1 loss to Arsenal.
Post that match, United’s head coach, Erik ten Hag, commented that Sancho’s training performance was a factor in his exclusion for the Arsenal fixture. Sancho, not taking lightly to this, later voiced his opinion on social media, stating that he “would not allow people to say things that are untrue” and emphasized that he felt he’s been “made a scapegoat for too long”.
Further fuelling the speculations of a rift, Sancho hasn’t been a part of the main training group since the incident. As per multiple reports, the discord between Ten Hag and Sancho may have reached an impasse. Though an apology from Sancho might facilitate his return, more than a month has elapsed since the incident without any evident improvement.
Dortmund’s interest in Sancho has never really waned, even during his time at Manchester, and reports suggest the bond between player and his former club remains intact after their four seasons together.
As the situation stands, it is believed that Dortmund is the primary destination Sancho is considering, even though other Bundesliga clubs are keeping a close eye on the unfolding drama. But things can be fluid in football, and the next three months could bring surprises.
The upcoming January transfer window typically sees fewer high-profile moves, so United might consider a loan option with a potential purchase clause in summer 2024. This would enable them to recover some of the substantial investment they made in the winger.
The dynamic at Old Trafford might shift if Ten Hag’s position becomes more tenuous. The Dutch manager’s decisions regarding Sancho, coupled with United’s lackluster performance this season – currently positioned at 10th in the Premier League and having suffered losses in their initial Champions League fixtures – means he is facing increasing scrutiny.
Nevertheless, the club’s hierarchy continues to back Ten Hag, both regarding his stance on Sancho and despite the team’s recent downturn.
