Of Manchester United’s numerous outgoings of the summer window, one player has since thrived in his new environment – and it may be a little too close for comfort for the Reds.
Indeed, Jadon Sancho’s tumultuous Red Devils tenure saw him sent on a second loan spell on deadline day this year, despite starting the season at Old Trafford.
The winger returned from Borussia Dortmund after his Champions League final upset and decided to finally bury the hatchet with Erik ten Hag, with both parties agreeing to put their longstanding feud behind them ahead of the 2024/2025 campaign.
Sancho proceeded to feature during the side’s pre-season tour before being omitted from the opening two Premier League games due to what the manager claimed was an illness. However, reports suggested more was going on behind the scenes, which wasn’t too difficult to believe, given his track record.
United have direcly aided rivals Chelsea with cut-price Sancho deal
Jadon Sancho in action for Chelsea.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Alas, he opened talks with the Blues in the closing stages of the window before departing on loan to Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the campaign. There was an obligation to buy included in the clubs’ agreement, meaning United could receive a total of £25 million as long as Chelsea finish in the top 14 of the table.
After enduring a slow start and facing a battle for minutes, Sancho has since found some relatively prolific form by his standards. He has notched two goals and five assists in 11 appearances across the league and Europe and looks a better version of himself than the Old Trafford faithful ever really witnessed in his three seasons at the club.
Such form prompted Glen Johnson to chastise INEOS’ decision to cut ties with the 24-year-old after he told Betfred (as cited by CaughtOffside): “Jadon Sancho’s move from Manchester United looks like a completely one-sided deal.
“These days, £23 million for a player like that, it’s like giving him away. What he’s done in the last few weeks is what we know he’s capable of, but he just needs to do it more often.
“He looks like he’s enjoying himself and that’s why he’s putting in performances, so the manager and his backroom staff deserve credit too because these players that weren’t performing are now.”
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