Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has rejoined former club Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
Sancho had been suspended by United for the majority of the season following a public altercation with manager Erik ten Hag.
In September, the 23-year-old claimed on social media that the club was using him as a “scapegoat” for his subpar play after he was left off of the matchday roster during a 3-1 loss to Arsenal.
Since then, Sancho has not played a single minute for the Red Devils and has been made to practise apart from the starting lineup.
Sancho never lived up to his hype at Old Trafford, even before his relationship with the former Ajax manager fell apart.
With just 12 goals in 82 games, he had trouble maintaining a spot in the starting lineup under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ten Hag.
But he’s hoping a return to the team that helped him establish himself as one of Europe’s brightest prospects will help him turn his career around.
“Jadon is an absolute difference maker and I’m looking forward to seeing him back in black and yellow soon,” said Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
“He knows this city, the stadium, our fans and our club. Even though he hasn’t played any competitive games in the past few months, we are sure that he will quickly settle back in with us, get into top form and use his qualities to help us achieve our goals for the season.”
The transfer is expected to cost Dortmund about four million euros, according to German media, and Sancho has consented to accept a substantial pay cut from his rumoured £300,000 weekly salary.
Sancho, who joined Dortmund at the age of 17, came from the Manchester City academy. In 137 games, he scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists, helping Dortmund win the German Cup in 2021 and the German Super Cup in 2019.
“When I came into the dressing room today, it felt like ‘coming home’. I know the club inside out, I’ve always been very close with the fans here, and I there was no break in contact with those in charge,” said Sancho.
“I can’t wait to see my teammates again, go out on the pitch, play football with a smile on my face, assist goals, score goals and help achieve Champions League qualification.”
Dortmund is banking on Sancho finding his old form again to help them salvage the season.
With just one victory in their previous eight games before the German season ended for the winter break, they are currently six points outside of the Champions League spots in fifth place in the Bundesliga.
But Dortmund did win the toughest group in the Champions League, knocking out AC Milan and Newcastle to progress to the last 16, where they will face PSV Eindhoven.
In order to spark a bidding war for Sancho’s services come summer, United is also hoping that he can demonstrate why they spent so much money on him.
During his second campaign in charge, Ten Hag has faced criticism for his inability to resolve their differences and get the most out of one of his star players while United has struggled.
The English powerhouses have suffered 14 defeats in 29 games this season, plunging to eighth place in the Premier League standings and elimination from both the League Cup and European competition.
A turn around in events might even increase Sancho’s chances of representing his nation at Euro 2024 in Germany later this year.
He competed for England in the 2021 European Championship and made it to the championship game, losing to Italy on penalties shootout after he missed one of the most important spot kicks.
However, October 2021 marked the completion of Sancho’s 23 international caps.
