Manchester United make tough Jadon Sancho transfer decision that speaks volumes

While Jadon Sancho is no longer wearing the Manchester United shirt, the £73million forward is still technically on the books at Old Trafford

Manchester United are reportedly willing to allow Jadon Sancho to depart for free at the end of the season.

Club chiefs are understood to be willing to forego any transfer fee so he is able to leave Old Trafford once and for all. This decision speaks volumes as a reminder of the decline in Sancho's career since signing for United.

The forward, who joined the club in 2021 from Borussia Dortmund for £73million, has become a peripheral figure at United. He is currently on his third loan spell away from the club.

Following a temporary return to the Bundesliga with Dortmund in January 2024 and an unsuccessful stint at Chelsea last season, he is now on loan at Aston Villa. Villa are optimistic about helping the former Manchester City youth player rediscover his form, with plans to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

Sancho is hopeful he will be a free agent when the time comes. His current £200k-a-week contract at United expires in June, but the club have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.

This would enable United to request a nominal fee, as they are aware they won't receive a substantial sum for the winger. However, such a move could potentially complicate a future transfer.

It's understood United are so eager to part ways with Sancho, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to let him leave the club for free - marking the end of one of the most regrettable signings in English football history - reports the Mirror.

This is positive news for Villa, who will have first refusal from Sancho and his team. Sancho's move to United was widely regarded as a coup, given the impression he had made in Germany.

However, at the start of his third season of the club, he had a public disagreement with former United boss Erik ten Hag. His loan spell at Dortmund the following January yielded mixed success.

Sancho contributed three goals and three assists in 21 appearances in all competitions and even started the Champions League final as Dortmund lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at Wembley. He played in 41 matches in all competitions for Chelsea while on loan last season, helping himself to five goals and 10 assists and even scoring in their UEFA Conference League final.

Chelsea were obliged to pay United a £5m penalty fee after declining the option to make the deal permanent for £25m. Sancho returned to United in June, but found himself among five stars banished from the squad for pre-season training by manager Ruben Amorim.

Click here to read article