INEOS have signed Sancho 2.0 at Man Utd; he plays like "an academy player"

First impressions are not everything, but they count for a lot for any new signing – just ask Jadon Sancho at Manchester United.

A protracted pursuit of almost 18 months ended with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side finally getting their man in the summer of 2021, securing a deal for what looked to be a knock-down price of £73m.

Hindsight might suggest otherwise, but it’s easy to forget just how exciting a capture that appeared at the time, with the young Englishman having racked up 107 goals and assists in just 137 games at Borussia Dortmund.

A “forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United”, in the view of Solskjaer, the ex-Manchester City product appeared to have all the tools to succeed at Old Trafford, arriving in a statement window that also saw Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed into the fold.

Frustratingly hampered by an ear infection following his move, however, that early setback set the tone for what was to follow, as the winger never truly found his groove under a succession of managers.

Now out on loan at Aston Villa, the previously marquee signing could soon be heading for the ignominy of a free transfer exit from his parent club.

Latest on Jadon Sancho’s future at Man Utd

It’s not wrong to suggest that Sancho never really recovered from that muted debut season, having registered just six goals and assists in the Premier League, while failing to score or assist at all under Solskjaer before the Norwegian was replaced.

2022/23 did start with a bang following the London-born star’s crucial strike against Liverpool under Erik ten Hag, although that relationship soon soured, with Sancho’s public criticism of the Dutchman a year later sparking the beginning of the end for his United journey.

Last season’s Community Shield aside, the 25-year-old has not played a competitive game for the club since that outburst amid the defeat to Arsenal in September 2023, since returning to Dortmund on loan, prior to joining Chelsea last summer.

There were signs of life for Sancho at Stamford Bridge, including his stunner in the Conference League final, although the Blues ultimately opted to pay £5m in order not to make the deal permanent, having failed to agree personal terms with the player.

A last-gasp move to Villa followed this summer, although the struggling talent – who last played for his country in 2021 – is yet to register a goal or assist, albeit while making an impact off the bench in the recent win over Arsenal.

United do have the option of extending his contract for a further year, with his existing deal set to expire in June, although the likelihood is that he will be allowed to leave for nothing, rather than the club having to fork out for his reported £150k-per-week salary.

There have been claims that former club Dortmund could look to re-sign their one-time boy wonder next summer, if he is available for free, with the Bundesliga perhaps representing the perfect place for his career to be revived.

A sorry tale then it has proved to be from a United perspective – let’s just hope it isn’t repeated.

Man Utd may have signed Sancho 2.0

From the woes of recruitment of recent years, this summer looked to be different.

Senne Lammens – a losing ‘keeper just once in his new surroundings – has settled in smoothly, while Bryan Mbeumo has already scored seven times across league and cup.

There is a sense that Matheus Cunha has been somewhat overhyped, amid club-led Eric Cantona comparisons, although the Brazilian has at least shown flashes of quality, notably teeing up Bruno Fernandes’ opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

Reasons to be positive regarding all three of those deals, although questions might be being asked over the wisdom of forking out a total fee of £74m on Benjamin Sesko, with the Slovenian following Sancho in being another expensive, young addition from the Bundesliga.

A player whom United have tracked since his teenage years, having even turned down the chance to sign him for just £2.5m back in 2019, there was a feeling that Sesko would always end up at Old Trafford, just like Sancho before him.

Like the Englishman too, the 6 foot 4 striker had showcased his quality on a relatively consistent basis back in Germany, racking up 40 goals and assists in just 79 games during his spell at RB Leipzig.

Much like Sancho was tipped to be the long-term solution on the flanks, Sesko has been tasked with finally solving United’s centre-forward woes, following a string of short-term or expensive gambles, be it from Odion Ighalo to Rasmus Hojlund.

Frustratingly, however, things haven’t got off to the most positive of starts, with eyebrows raised when United’s number 30 was merely the tenth penalty taker in the defeat to Grimsby Town, albeit while having reportedly been suffering from cramp.

Indeed, like Sancho’s beginning at Old Trafford, a need to get up to speed fitness-wise impacted the forward’s involvement in the early weeks of the season, having not started in the league until the Manchester derby defeat.

Two goals have since followed against Sunderland and Brentford, although there is a real desire to see more, with the 22-year-old brutally described as looking like “an academy player” last month by Liverpool legend, Robbie Fowler.

His display against Brighton was particularly impressive, having teed up Mbeumo for his first of the night with a delightful turn and pass, although such moments have been few and far between.

Indeed, two missed chances against Tottenham Hotspur ultimately proved costly as United had to settle for a draw, with Sesko having been absent since then through injury.

A return to action could occur in Monday’s clash with Bournemouth, although with the New Year approaching, it already feels like a period wasted for Sesko, with little evidence to suggest he won’t merely follow in the footsteps of Hojlund – and Sancho – before him.

As already stated, first impressions may not be fatal, but they are crucial in winning over fans and pundits alike. Sancho, unfortunately, was never able to do just that, with Sesko in danger of following suit.

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