Jadon Sancho has dramatically shifted from being frozen out at Manchester United to now being a crucial player in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League campaign.
The 24-year-old England star was previously excluded from a struggling Manchester United team but has made a remarkable comeback while on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
His performance in the semi-finals against PSG has been nothing short of outstanding, with him playing a pivotal role in both victories at the club where he first rose to prominence.
Jadon Sancho excitedly expressed his disbelief at reaching the Champions League Final on his social media with the caption: “Wow, unbelievable @BVB. Champions League Final!”
After beating PSG home and away to qualify for the UEFA Champions League final, videos of Borussia Dortmund players celebrating their victory against PSG went viral on social media with Sancho leading them in a singing session to Adele’s song ‘Someone Like You’.
Jadon Sancho’s fall at Manchester United
Sancho’s return to England in 2021 saw him sign for Manchester United and win an EFL Cup in his second season before being loaned back to Dortmund in 2024.
Nevertheless, his brief tenure at Manchester United concluded with its fair share of controversy.
Despite his successful spell in Germany, he struggled to make an impact at United after a £70 million transfer move to Old Trafford.
He played just 26 games and scored 6 goals with 3 assists in the previous season, and only featured in 3 matches early in the current season.
Sancho’s situation took a turn for the worse when he publicly criticized manager Erik ten Hag for not being included in the matchday squad early in the season, resulting in him being frozen out of the team.
Sancho was not included in United’s squad for their game against Arsenal on 3 September 2023, with manager Erik ten Hag explaining that Sancho was not picked due to “his performances in training”, stating that players “have to reach a level every day at Manchester United”.
In response, the 24-year-old refuted Ten Hag’s claim as he wrote on social media: “I will not allow people saying things that are completely untrue, I have conducted myself very well in training this week.”
“I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!”
Afterwards, Manchester United then announced on 14 September that Sancho would train away from the first team group pending resolution of a squad discipline issue.
He was not selected by the Dutchman once more, and with all parties involved looking for a solution, he was allowed to leave in January with the understanding that he would likely depart permanently if Ten Hag continued in his position.
Overall, he featured in 82 matches for Manchester United, scoring just 12 goals and creating 6 assists in all competitions.
His stardom at Dortmund before Manchester United’s move
In 2017, Sancho inked his inaugural senior contract with Borussia Dortmund.
Jadon Sancho quickly established himself as a key player for the German side, showcasing his skill, pace, and creativity on the wing.
During his four seasons with the team, he appeared in 137 matches and secured victories in the 2019 DFL Supercup and the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal.
Sancho had scored 14 goals and set up a further 20 in his first full season in Dortmund’s first team, sparking United’s interest in him.
Jadon Sancho also received individual accolades, such as being named to the Bundesliga Team of the Season and winning the Bundesliga Player of the Month award multiple times.
His time at Dortmund was marked by consistent performances, dazzling skill, and a strong work ethic, which helped him become one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe.
His rise at Dortmund after his return
Upon Sancho’s return on January 11, 2024 to the German side, it seems like he is making his way back to that same level of play.
Sancho made his first appearance for Dortmund since rejoining the team on 13 January, entering the game as a substitute in the 55th minute against Darmstadt 98.
The match ended in a 3-0 victory, with Sancho providing the assist for a goal by Marco Reus.
Since his return to Dortmund, he has participated in 18 games, with 12 in the Bundesliga and 6 in the Champions League, managing to score 3 goals and provide 1 assist.
He stunned the football world on the 1st of May, by completing 12 dribbles in the Champions League semi-final first leg against PSG, the highest number achieved by a player in that round since Lionel Messi in 2008.
Now, the criticized ex-United player has played a key role in leading the German club to their second UEFA Champions League final since their last appearance in 2013.
What’s next for Jadon Sancho?
Dortmund’s performance in domestic competitions this season has not been ideal, as they currently hold the fifth position in the Bundesliga standings.
Despite this placement, they are on track to secure a spot in the Champions League.
Today, Dortmund will learn which team they will face in the Champions League final: either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
The highly awaited match will be held at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu with kick off set at 8:00 PM.
