Jadon Sancho, the Manchester United winger, may have preferred a change in manager at Old Trafford, according to former England striker Michael Owen. United considered replacing Erik ten Hag after a disappointing 2023-24 season that saw them finish eighth in the Premier League. However, after discussions with potential replacements such as Thomas Tuchel and witnessing the team’s victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, the club decided to retain Ten Hag.
Owen believes that Sancho, who had a falling out with Ten Hag at the start of last season and was subsequently loaned back to Borussia Dortmund, would have liked a fresh start with a new manager. The winger’s rift with Ten Hag stemmed from criticism of his effort in training, leading to his exclusion from matchday squads. Sancho’s improved performances in Germany had suggested a permanent return to Dortmund was likely.
However, Sancho recently had clear-the-air talks with Ten Hag, and he was subsequently seen training with Manchester United and featuring in a pre-season friendly against Rangers. Ten Hag has stated that he has put the disagreement with Sancho behind him, but Owen still believes that the player would have preferred a managerial change ahead of the new season.
Owen commended Sancho for taking a risk by returning to Dortmund to reignite his career and acknowledged his success in doing so. The former striker expressed uncertainty about Sancho’s future but acknowledged that he has proven his ability to perform at the highest level.
Ten Hag, for his part, described Sancho as a “terribly good player” and expressed hope that the winger would contribute to Manchester United’s success. The manager emphasized the importance of good players for the club and indicated that he had drawn a line under the past disagreement.
Despite his talent, Sancho has struggled to find consistent goal-scoring form for Manchester United, with just nine goals in 58 Premier League appearances since his £73m move from Dortmund in 2021.
In conclusion, while Sancho may have preferred a change in manager at Manchester United, he has reconciled with Ten Hag and is back training with the club. The winger’s future remains uncertain, but his successful stint in Germany has demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level. With Ten Hag expressing confidence in Sancho’s contribution to the team’s success, it remains to be seen how the player will fare in the upcoming season.