INEOS have signed Sancho 2.0 with Manchester United. he plays like an “academy player”

First impressions aren’t everything, but they are very important for a new contract. Just ask Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho.

A protracted chase that lasted almost 18 months ended with Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side finally signing the player in the summer of 2021, securing a deal for a knockdown price believed to be £73m.

In hindsight, it may not have been that way, but given that the young Englishman scored 107 goals and assists in just 137 games for Borussia Dortmund, it’s easy to forget just how exciting this scheme was when it first emerged.

The former Manchester City product, who, in Solskjaer’s view, is “a forward player with the best traditions of Manchester United”, appears to have all the tools to succeed at Old Trafford, announcing at his press conference that Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo have also been brought into the squad.

However, this early setback set the tone for his future form as the winger struggled with an ear infection following his transfer and never really found form under successive managers.

Currently on loan at Aston Villa, the previously high-profile player could soon be handed the disgrace of a free transfer from his parent club.

Latest information on Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United

It would be fair to suggest that Sancho never recovered from his lackluster debut season, scoring just six goals and assisting in the Premier League, failing to score or assist at all under Solskjaer before the Norwegian was replaced.

The 2022/23 season got off to a strong start with the London-born star scoring a decisive goal against Erik ten Hag’s Liverpool, but the relationship quickly soured and Sancho’s public criticism of the Dutchman a year later marked the beginning of the end of his journey at United.

Apart from last season’s Community Shield, the 25-year-old has not made a competitive appearance for the club since the riot in the defeat to Arsenal in September 2023, when he returned to Dortmund on loan before joining Chelsea last summer.

Sancho showed signs of life at Stamford Bridge, including a star goal in the Conference League final, but the Blues were unable to agree personal terms with Sancho and ultimately opted to pay him £5 million rather than make him a permanent deal.

The struggling talent, who made a last-ditch move to Villa this summer but last played for his country in 2021, made an impact off the bench in the recent game against Arsenal, but is yet to register a goal or assist.

United have the option to extend his deal by a further year, with his existing deal due to expire in June, but it is likely that he will be allowed to leave for free in exchange for the club paying him a reported £150,000-a-week wage.

There are rumors that his former club Dortmund could consider re-signing the former wonder next summer if he is available on a free transfer, with the Bundesliga perhaps the best place to revive his career.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be from United’s perspective. I just hope the same thing doesn’t happen again.

Manchester United could sign Sancho 2.0

Unlike the recruiting woes of recent years, this summer looked different.

Sene Lamence has settled in well after being a losing keeper only once in his new surroundings, while Brian Mbeumo has already scored seven goals in league and cup competitions.

Matheus Cunha has been a little overblown in comparison to club manager Eric Cantona, but the Brazilian at least showed some quality, especially when he set up Bruno Fernandes’ opener in the last game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

While the wisdom of paying a total of £74m for Benjamin Sesco may be questioned, there are reasons to be positive about all three deals. Following Sancho, the Slovenian has signed another young player from the Bundesliga at a high price.

A player United have been eyeing since he was a teenager and even turned down the chance to sign him for just £2.5m in 2019, there was a hunch that Sesco, like Sancho before him, would always end up at Old Trafford.

Like his English counterpart, the 6-foot-4 striker has displayed his quality relatively consistently since returning to Germany, scoring 40 goals and assisting in just 79 games during his time at RB Leipzig.

Just as Sancho had been hinted to be the side’s long-term solution, Sesco has been tasked with finally solving United’s centre-forward woes after a series of short-term or expensive gambles, from Odion Ighalo to Rasmus Hjølund.

But, frustratingly, things didn’t get off to the most positive start and eyebrows were raised when United’s number 30 was only the 10th penalty winner in the defeat to Grimsby Town, despite reportedly suffering from cramps.

Indeed, just as with Sancho’s start at Old Trafford, the need to get up to speed in terms of fitness influenced Sancho’s appearances early in the season, having not started a league game until the Manchester derby defeat.

He has since scored two goals against Sunderland and Brentford, but there is a real desire to see more from the 22-year-old, who was cruelly described by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler as “like an academy player” last month.

His display against Brighton was particularly impressive, putting Mbeumo ahead with a delightful turn and pass in the first game of the night. However, such moments were few and far between.

Indeed, two missed chances against Tottenham Hotspur proved costly as United had to settle for a draw and Sesco has been sidelined with injury since then.

He could return for Monday’s game against Bournemouth, but with the new year approaching, it already feels like a wasted period for Sesco, and there is little evidence to suggest he will do more than just follow in the footsteps of Hojland or Sancho.

As already mentioned, the first impression may not be fatal, but it is very important to win the hearts of fans and experts. Unfortunately Sancho was unable to accomplish this and Sesco was in danger of following suit.