Ex-Manchester United coach opens up on the real reason 'great character' Sancho failed with Red Devils

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho || Photo Credit: Imago

Ex-Manchester United coach opens up on the real reason 'great character' Sancho failed with Red Devils

Ayoola Kelechi 17:02 - 04.10.2024

Sancho was billed to be a superstar at Manchester United, but a public falling out with Ten hag led to his career stalling

Champions League winner and former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has opened up about why Jadon Sancho failed to make an impact at Old Trafford despite his huge reputation and transfer fee.

Sancho’s Manchester United struggles

The former Borussia Dortmund forward was once hailed as one of the brightest talents in world football during his time in Germany before joining Manchester United with high expectations and a £73 million price tag.

Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund | Imago
Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund | Imago Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund | Imago

Though he showed flashes of brilliance, especially under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Sancho’s form deteriorated after Erik ten Hag took charge.

Despite early promise under the Dutch manager that saw him score two goals in his first five league games under Ten Hag, Sancho's season spiralled, and a public fallout with the head coach over training performances led to his eventual exit from the club.

Ten Hag and Sancho fell out leading to a return to Dortmund on loan. || X

After being jettisoned from the Manchester United squad under Ten Hag, leading to a loan return to Borussia Dortmund, Sancho’s tenure at Manchester United officially ended this summer when he joined Chelsea on a season-long loan.

McCarthy explains Sancho’s failure

After clashing with Ten Hag and spending months sidelined, Sancho’s departure seemed inevitable, and McCarthy, who worked closely with Sancho, believes communication and personality played a big part in his struggles.

Benni McCarthy celebrates scoring against Namibia at AFCON 1998 | SportWorld

Speaking on the On the Whistle podcast, McCarthy was asked why fe felt Sancho could not make the best of his time at Manchester United, and he replied, “Just a bit of communication problems really. Because Sancho is a very quiet guy. No one knows literally nothing about Jadon.”

Expanding on Sancho’s character, the former South Africa internationl added, Jadon comes in, he does his job, he does does his work, and then it's just like, very quiet.

“[He's] a great boy, great character, fantastic footballer, unbelievable the things that he can do. For me, it was a real shame that it didn't work out for Jadon at United, because I thought he was the type of player that that would flourish in a United shirt.

“But unfortunately, I think lack of communication and understanding, I think was was part of the downside that didn't end up working with Sanch.”

Chelsea new player Jadon Sancho || Imago

Sancho will be hoping to rebuild his career after making the move to Chelsea and is already showing his potential after registering three assists in his first three games for the Blues.