Sancho sends Man Utd & Ten Hag message with Champions League performance

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Mar 2024 21:53 GMT
• 4 min read

Jadon Sancho put in an encouraging performance for Borussia Dortmund against PSV, proving that he can still perform on the big stage.

The Manchester United outcast looks to have overcome his form slump after scoring his first goal back in Borussia Dortmund's colours against Werder Bremen last weekend. In the wake of the match, the Red Devils loanee admitted that he has not yet lived up to expectations.

"In my first spell at BVB, I registered a goal involvement in almost every match," Sancho told club media ahead of Dortmund's crucial Champions League clash with PSV. "So I can understand that the fans expect a lot of me. I do from myself too. I could also accept it if some people were angry with me. I want to continue to improve for the team."

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Sancho certainly kept his promise with his showing against the runaway Eredivisie leaders, proving crucial to the Black and Yellow advancing. What was particularly impressive about the 23-year-old wasn't just that he scored another goal, but that he put in the hard yards as well - so much so that he had to be substituted midway through the second half with what looked to be a hamstring injury.

Sancho sends Ten Hag message

From the first moment of the match, Sancho was in the thick of the action against PSV. His renewed vigour and confidence were evident early on when he went on a one-man counter-press mission, winning the ball back to set up Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen, whose thunderous strike was saved by goalkeeper Walter Benitez.

The Englishman then opened the scoring in the third minute with a strike from outside the box, although Benitez perhaps could have done better. Throughout the first half in particular, Sancho looked confident, carefree and committed, making it clear that when he is given the freedom to express himself and the trust of his coach, he can still be a game-changer.

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His performance against PSV not only saw him pay back his Dortmund loan fee, it was also a clear message to Erik ten Hag and Man Utd. It showed them that the winger can still perform on the biggest stage in front of 80,000 rabid fans, something that could have been quite useful to the Red Devils, who have had a dire season, with the wide areas a particularly glaring weakness prior to Alejandro Garnacho's outstanding recent form.

However, it seems that regardless of how well Sancho performs for the rest of the campaign, he won't have a future at Old Trafford unless Erik ten Hag gets sacked. FootballTransfers exclusively reported last year that the 23-year-old is hoping to outlive the Dutchman.

Dortmund, for their part, are keen to keep their erstwhile wonderkid and have hatched a secret plan to help them in this endeavour. However, if Sancho does eventually manage to consistently get back to his scintillating best over the next two months, clubs with much deeper pockets than BVB will likely come calling as well.