Simon Jordan believes Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund shows a culture that has been allowed to manifest at Manchester United in recent years.
It goes back to the old argument about the club’s recruitment and their failure to identify players of the right profile for United. We’ve learn a lot about Sancho in the past year and I think most fans wouldn’t shed a tear if he never played for the club again.
The 23-year-old returned to his former club Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season on Thursday, after falling out with Erik ten Hag four months ago. Sancho had been banished from first team activities ever since.
Sancho, who cost United £73 million in a transfer from Dortmund back in 2021, has not played for the Reds since the end of August.
While some see Dortmund as the beneficiaries of the conflict between Sancho and Ten Hag, Jordan says the wider footballing community will see things differently.
“I don’t think anyone is particularly impressed,” Jordan told talkSPORT. “Dortmund might be because they’ve got this relationship with him historically.
“They’ve already trousered £70million from Manchester United and they are getting him back for a fraction of his wages.
“Dortmund have got no skin in this game but those in football will say ‘I’m not quite sure about this player’.”
Sancho has never been able to settle at United – under a total of three managers – and I can’t help but feel he only has himself to blame for becoming an outcast at Old Trafford. He had a chance this season to challenge Antony for his place on the right wing and we’re now seeing Alejandro Garnacho do that.
Jordan says the issues United had with Sancho underlines a more pressing issue as to why high-profile signings such as Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Antony have all struggled to make the required impact at the club.
“It’s based upon two things,” said Jordan. “Who’s to blame for this culture Man United have allowed to develop inside the football club that engenders players with a belief system they can behave the way they do.
“The recruitment policy that’s recruiting players that are clearly not fit for purpose and the fact that Ten Hag is trying to change the direction of travel and is having to break some serious eggs to make an omelette.”
The former Crystal Palace chairman added: “They sign big-name players on paper, with big attitudes and big outlooks, who are not the right fit for the football club.
“Pogba was let go by Man United for a reason. Look at him now. Look at where Sanchez went and what he did.
“He chose Man United because they offered more money than Man City. Once upon a time, you chose Man United because of the fabric of the football club. They’ve allowed the culture to deteriorate.”
Get the latest Manchester United news, opinion, interviews and exclusive features with the Stretty Newsletter – Ad Free! Kick off your afternoon with the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
