Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did an excellent job as manager of Manchester United until November 2021. The rounds of Ralf Rangick, Erik ten Hag and most recently Ruben Amorim have shown that. A lot worked, but there was also a lot that had a negative effect on the results of the Red Devils with Ole at the helm. The local newspaper in Manchester has taken a look back at the giant investment that was supposed to lift United.
The flashback concerns the signing of Jadon Sancho. Only months left before the former Borussia Dortmund star walks out as a free transfer after five years – on paper – as a Manchester United player. We let the Manchester Evening News take the summary of five long and unproductive years.
“In the summer of 2021, Jadon Sancho was supposed to be Manchester United’s main signing, the reinforcement that would lift Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team from second place to the title. United had been chasing him for years before finally agreeing to a £72.9 million payment to bring him back to Manchester – only this time in red (not City blue).”
“It was July 23 when Sancho stood in front of United’s cameras with his arms outstretched and said, ‘This is my club. This is where I belong.”
“Everything that followed told a story of almost the opposite. A little over a month later, Cristiano Ronaldo strolled through Carrington’s front doors. The debate continues to this day as to whether it was a decision that disrupted Solskjaer’s plans; but suddenly United’s shiny new toy from Dortmund wasn’t the hot topic at Old Trafford anymore.”
“At that time, Sancho was unique in the sense that he was an English player who adapted to the English league. At just 21 years old, he had the time and the evidence to suggest he could do it after three astonishing years in Germany – but his new environment became a whirlwind soap opera. One of the hardest parts of joining United is the attention combined with the pressure of previous success, and Sancho was one of many who suffered.”
“Since signing five years ago, Sancho has been back on loan to Dortmund, where he managed only two goals and two assists in 14 Bundesliga games; on loan to Chelsea where the west London club chose to pay £5 million not to sign him; and is now at Aston Villa.”
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“He is set to leave United as a free agent in the summer, and Dortmund are among the teams linked with him. The England international has started to find some form in the Midlands. With two assists in his last two games and impressive performances as well, the loanee has played a key role in revitalising Villa after a tough spell. Unai Emery may start to look at him as a permanent option.”
“None of this will help United get any return on their investment. Sancho’s tenure at United has been a disaster, and leaving the club on a free transfer sums it up.
