It's officially over – Sancho leaves Man United

The season is over, and until new signings arrive, it is time for farewells at Old Trafford. This afternoon, Manchester United said goodbye to three players, including what many consider the biggest transfer flop in the club’s history. And no, for those of you who love to criticize him, Harry Maguire is not the one leaving. The player in question is Jadon Sancho.

Over the past decade, Manchester United has become synonymous with poor recruitment and questionable transfer business. The club spent tens of millions of euros on players who failed to justify their price tags, but even in such fierce competition, Sancho stands out. After all, he arrived as the fourth-most expensive signing in the club’s history and gave almost nothing in return.

When his €85 million transfer fee is compared to his output on the pitch, the numbers are staggering. Each of Sancho’s goals effectively cost the club around €7 million. Across five years under contract, half of which were spent out on loan, he made just 83 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists. His record also includes the 2023 Carabao Cup triumph, although his contribution to that success was minimal, having played only 34 minutes throughout the entire competition.

When all is said and done, the conclusion is obvious: far too little return for far too much money, especially considering that he ultimately left Old Trafford for free, without generating any transfer income. However, it would be unfair—and overly simplistic—to place all the blame on Sancho himself. His failure feels more like the product of a dysfunctional system than a lack of talent.

It is hardly surprising that Sancho became just another expensive signing unable to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams. The 26-year-old arrived at Old Trafford during one of the club’s most chaotic periods, with no clear long-term vision, constant managerial changes, and relentless pressure from the British media. And everyone knows how unforgiving that environment can be, especially toward domestic players.

Sancho’s final appearance for Manchester United came nearly two years ago, in August 2024, during the Community Shield against Manchester City. He entered the match with seven minutes remaining and missed one of United’s two failed penalties in the shootout. It proved to be his last outing for the club, coming between two of the three loan spells he would experience while still under contract.

He spent six months back at Borussia Dortmund, followed by one-year spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa. Interestingly, he reached the final of a different European competition with each of those clubs—Champions League with Dortmund, Conference League with Chelsea, and Europa League with Aston Villa. Yet his only truly significant contribution came during Chelsea’s successful Conference League campaign, where he recorded two goals and five assists in eight appearances.

Despite everything, reports suggest Borussia Dortmund would gladly welcome him back. And Sancho himself would probably walk all the way to Germany if necessary. After all, Dortmund was the club where he first announced himself to the football world.