Jadon Sancho"s fall from summer star to fifth choice at Manchester United

Jadon Sancho's time at Manchester United has come to an end following a loan move to Chelsea, which includes an obligation to buy for £20-25 million. His last competitive appearance for United was in the Community Shield, where he missed a penalty. Sancho's omission from matchday squads against Fulham and Brighton highlighted his decline in status within the team, as he was deemed the fifth choice behind other wide players, including Antony. Sancho's career trajectory has sharply contrasted with his former teammates at Borussia Dortmund, such as Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, who have achieved significant success since their departures. His struggles at United were compounded by Ten Hag's assessment that Sancho was not quick enough to fit into his tactical plans, leading to a lack of playing time and confidence. The situation escalated when Ten Hag publicly explained his decision to exclude Sancho from the squad for a match against Arsenal, which resulted in a public disagreement between the two. This fallout ultimately led to Sancho's decision to leave the club, as both parties recognized the need for a fresh start. United's decision to loan Sancho to Chelsea, a club facing its own challenges, reflects a desire to mitigate the risk of his potential resurgence. However, there remains a concern that if he performs well at Chelsea, it could serve as a reminder of United's mismanagement and add to their financial woes.