Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, might find an opportunity to part ways with one of the squad members come January, as an unexpected party has shown interest in acquiring their services, reports suggest.
Controversy has surrounded Jadon Sancho at Old Trafford this season, following a well-publicized disagreement with Ten Hag. The dispute erupted when the Dutch coach publicly criticized Sancho’s training performance, leading to the England forward’s exclusion from the squad during their 3-1 loss to Arsenal. This incident has sparked widespread speculation and discussion across various media and online platforms about Sancho’s future with the Red Devils, a situation still unresolved as Sancho has yet to apologize to Ten Hag for his part in the events.
Additionally, Sancho has reportedly expressed frustration over Brazilian forward Antony’s consistent selection for the first team despite his varying performance levels. However, a resolution could be on the horizon for Sancho at Manchester United, as an unexpected suitor has surfaced, potentially offering him a way out, according to recent updates.
Spanish media outlet Fichajes has reported that Tottenham Hotspur, under the management of Ange Postecoglou, is expressing serious interest in Sancho, contemplating a bid in the ballpark of €35 million (£30 million). Spurs, with Postecoglou at the helm, view acquiring Sancho as a significant objective, providing him an opportunity to remain in the Premier League.
This interest is partly driven by injuries to players like Manor Solomon and Ivan Perisic, which have limited Postecoglou’s options on the left side of his attack.
Despite the off-field controversies, it is essential to recognize Sancho’s exceptional talent and his ability to influence games when at his best. This is evident in his impressive shot-creating actions, with an average of around 5.23 per 90 minutes over the last year, placing him in the top 93% among his positional peers in Europe’s premier leagues (as per FBRef statistics).
Ten Hag, who earlier in 2023 described Sancho as “brilliant,” acknowledges his capabilities at the top level. A fresh start away from the pressures of Old Trafford could prove beneficial for the London-born player, making this potential transfer a situation to keep an eye on.
