Jadon Sancho: How dream Man Utd move became a nightmare

Jadon Sancho made his 29th Aston Villa appearance in the Europa League win at Lille It ended with a one-line statement as Manchester United also said goodbye to Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia. "We would like to thank Casemiro, Tyrell and Jadon for their contributions to Manchester United and wish them the very best of luck for the future." No mention that 12 months after Chelsea had paid a £5m penalty clause rather than turn his loan into an agreed permanent transfer, United were now opting not to activate an extra year's option on Jadon Sancho. His time at Old Trafford will chiefly be remembered for an amazing row with Erik ten Hag and achieving the remarkable feat of playing in the final of all three European club competitions across the space of three seasons, while on loan at three different clubs – Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa. A low-key end to a desperately disappointing episode – for club and player. "A dream come true" was how Sancho described his £73m move from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021. The reality has turned out to be anything but. The last time Sancho played at Old Trafford was on 26 August 2023, when he came on as a second-half substitute in a comeback