In the summer of 2021, Jadon Sancho’s £73million transfer to Manchester United seemed to mark the arrival of one of Europe’s most talented wingers. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s initial reaction to the deal says as much, but less than three years later has left the former Red Devils manager with egg on his face.
Sancho was a long-term target under the Solskjaer regime and the subject of a failed pursuit one year before his switch.
United’s desire to lure him from Borussia Dortmund indicated that the club had completed a thorough assessment of the 23-year-old’s quality and character before splashing a bumper fee for his signature.
Sancho failed to quickly settle at Old Trafford. Solskjaer’s sacking just months after his arrival likely contributed to those struggles. However, reports in recent months have suggested there were worrying signs early on.
In November, The Athletic claimed that Sancho had a poor record of oversleeping and timekeeping that he brought to United.
His reported preference to play on the left, despite that being Marcus Rashford’s position and Solskjaer signing him as a right winger, is also a baffling detail.
After Sancho completed his highly-anticipated move, Solskjaer sang the England international’s praises.
The United boss hailed Sancho as the mould of individual he wanted in his dressing room and expressed confidence that he would reach new levels at Old Trafford.
“Jadon epitomises the type of player I want to bring to the club. He is a forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United,” Solskjaer told the club website.
“He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come, and we look forward to seeing him blossom.
“His goals and assists records speak for themselves, and he will also bring tremendous pace, flair and creativity to the team.
“Old Trafford will give him the platform he needs to release his untapped talent and perform at the highest level.”
Erik ten Hag’s view will probably represent a staggering contrast to Solskjaer’s clear expectations of Sancho, banishing him from the senior squad in September for his discipline.
The United No 25, on top of his reportedly poor punctuality, was said to have been below-par in training, resulting in his exclusion from the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal at the start of the season.
Ten Hag was happy to sanction Sancho’s exit this month, and Borussia Dortmund are set to announce his return on loan until the end of the season.
And it’s unlikely he has much of a future in M16 beyond the current campaign, which will leave Solskjaer as disappointed as anyone.
