How Sancho's dream Man Utd move ended as a nightmare

How Sancho's dream Man Utd move ended as a nightmareImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jadon Sancho made his 29th Aston Villa appearance in the Europa League win at LilleBySimon StoneManchester United reporterPublished15 March 2026610 CommentsUpdated 2 minutes agoIt ended with a one-line statement as Manchester United also said goodbye to Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia."We would like to thank Casemiro, Tyrell and Jadon for their contributions to Manchester United and wish them the very best of luck for the future."No mention that 12 months after Chelsea had paid a £5m penalty clause rather than turn his loan into an agreed permanent transfer, United were now opting not to activate an extra year's option on Jadon Sancho.His time at Old Trafford will chiefly be remembered for an amazing row with Erik ten Hag and achieving the remarkable feat of playing in the final of all three European club competitions across the space of three seasons, while on loan at three different clubs – Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa.A low-key end to a desperately disappointing episode – for club and player.It wasn't supposed to be like that."A dream come true" was how Sancho described his £73m move from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021.The reality has turned out to be anything but.The last time Sancho played at Old Trafford was on 26 August 2023, when he came on as a second-half substitute in a comeback victory against Nottingham Forest.In total, he made 30 Premier League appearances for the club. He completed the full 90 minutes on only 10 occasions. Aside from one seven-minute substitute appearance in the 2024 Community Shield, Sancho spent the last two and-a-half years of his time at United playing elsewhere.No wonder minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was aghast to learn how much of Sancho's fee United still had to pay, as he told BBC Sport in March 2025: "Sancho now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages. We're paying £17...