JS 25 is another player who is on the periphery at MUFC.
After his fallout with Erik ten Hag almost a year ago, things weren't looking good for Sancho at Man Utd.
Fast forward to July 2024, and the two seemed to have kissed and made up (not literally) as Erik ten Hag said in mid-July that he and the 24-year-old had "drawn the line and we move on" over their issues from the past season.
So after these positive talks, things still aren't looking good for Sancho.
With the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Antony all appearing ahead of Jadon in the list of starting wingers, there is no place for him in Erik ten Hag's starting XI.
While he can play as a number 10 and even false 9, with players like Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Scott McTominay, Rasmus Hojlund and new striker Joshua Zirkzee all capable of filling those two spots, Sancho's time in the team will be little and less, if he gets any minutes at all.
So what does he do regarding his future?
I'm sure that he would like to get into this United side but as that seems unlikely it is perhaps time to move on.
For a player of his quality, that shouldn't be too much of an issue because he really knows how to play ball. He is also young and has much time ahead in his career.
Sancho has had interest from both PSG and more recently Juventus for his services. Either will be a good move for him because both are respected clubs that challenge for the big trophies and play regular Champions League football.
After Kylian Mbappe's departure, the French champions will be looking for someone to fill that void although tbh, who the bloody hell can fill the space left by Mbappe?
Regardless of that Mbappe-sized hole though, I feel like this is will be a good move for him because of many reasons.
He would most likely want to:
- compete for the big trophies (he'll compete and win the league and cups in France and be in the CL) ✅
- play in a lovely city ✅
- earn a lot of money ✅
Paris is also a great place for him to become a big brand if that is his wish as well.
I also feel that Sancho comes across as a character who likes thing easy, who doesn't want to work as hard as others and who is a little il-disciplined.
When discussing the winger in his presser yesterday, ten Hag spoke about the attitude of the players and how it needs to be very important.
I believe that Sancho's attitude is more the problem than anything for the manager as on countless occasions, he's spoken about how good he is as a player and even yesterday, ten Hag mentioned that he hopes United will have a squad with two players for every position/role when talking about Sancho.
So he definitely sees a player in him.
As for his potential move to Juventus, that is a loan deal with an obligation to buy for £40m but it has to be under certain conditions. The problem though, is his €20m annual income through wages, of which Sancho earns £250k a week (Capology) via CentreGoals.
This could also be a good move for him although Serie A is not quite so easy as Ligue 1 so he could find some issues there.
With the Old Lady looking to move on Federico Chiesa, they are in need of a new winger. Sancho could be that man.
With the play style of both Luis Enrique at PSG and Thiago Motta at Juve, I think Sancho could fit in pretty well because I've always felt that he has the quality needed to play in a possession-based, fast moving team which is exactly how those two managers like to play.
This is why I think he's the perfect winger for what Erik ten Hag wants but that his attitude has caused him to be somewhat cast aside.
What should he do then?
It really is up to him.
He could stay at United and earn loads of money but not play regular football or he could move on.
He suits Paris like a glove although a move to Italy may test him more and show us what he's truly capable of. I would take a salary cut and go to Juventus because they are a bigger club, they are under an exciting project with Motta and the league is more competitive. He will probably earn good money there as well even if it's not the £250k at United.
In fact, in the last hour or so (so much that it made me need to update this post even though I uploaded not long before this news broke 😐), Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic put out some info regarding Juventus being in talks with United for Jadon Sancho.
He says that MUFC want a permanent move for Sancho to benefit the Profitability and Sustainability Rules however, as we know, Juve are looking for a loan move as they are also wanting to buy other players. The loan with an obligation to buy deal seems the best fit.
Fabrizio Romano has also come out and said that Juventus are in talks with Sancho's agents at the moment.
He adds that:
"As reported in the recent days, it’s 100% open with an exit considered concrete possibility in the final 7 days. Manchester United received an approach from Juventus as reported yesterday, DIRECT contact. Jadon, open to leaving United."
The winger has played 83 games for United scoring 12 goals and assisting on 6 occasions in three seasons at the club.
He needs to start thinking about his career because at 24, while he's not old, he isn't a youngster either and his career will pass him by before he knows it.
Background Image: Jadon Sancho after missing his penalty in the shootout defeat to Man City in the Community Shield | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal