Andy Cole thinks that with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS in charge, Jadon Sancho would yet be able to earn a second opportunity at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag expelled Sancho from the first team in September of last year after the Dutchman called out the winger for not putting enough effort during training. After practically labeling his manager a liar, Sancho publicly questioned him and refused to apologise.
During the January transfer window, Sancho went back on loan to Borussia Dortmund and contributed assists in his first two games back. His recent form has drawn criticism, though, with one German tabloid calling him “the worst player on the pitch” after Sunday’s loss to Hoffenheim.
The England international is one of the several players that United are hoping to cash in on this summer. Mason Greenwood, who is currently on loan at Getafe, is also on the list.
Sancho’s future could be evaluated by the new co-owners, according to Man United great Cole, who maintains that the 23-year-old is still “a very talented player.”
‘Whether he does or doesn’t stay at Manchester United in the long-term, the kid is still a very talented player,’ Cole told Betfred.
‘You can all sit here and say he’s got to get his head right, but I think everyone needs to get their head and mindset right at times.
‘It’s not worked out for him at the moment at Manchester United, but you just never know what’s going to happen.
‘I listened to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments the other day regarding Mason Greenwood and how a decision regarding his future will be made in the summer, so it looks like they’re going to go back to that situation and review it, so I believe that Sancho will be in that discussion as well.
‘Yes, he’s had a tough time, but can they address this problem? If they can’t address this problem, what is the best thing for Jadon Sancho as well as Manchester United? That’s the way they’ve got to look at things.
‘If you look at Manchester United over the last 11 years, how many players have come to the club, who have had a lot expected of them, and it’s not worked out and it’s always been down to the player?
‘Everything can’t always be down to the player and everything can’t always be down to the club.
‘The culture isn’t right, so you’ve got to look at many different things because too many players, and too many good players, have come to Manchester United and it’s not worked out. For me, that doesn’t make sense.’
It is difficult to see Sancho have a future at United, with the club already considering selling him in the summer. The England international was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League in the January transfer window, but he eventually joined his former club Dortmund.
For Sancho to have a future at United, he needs to apologise to ten Hag and show he is good enough to play ahead of players like Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.
Things could get interesting if ten Hag is let go in the summer and a new manager is appointed. That could give Sancho the opportunity to start again at the club and prove his worth.