According to British media reports, Manchester United has made its final decision on Jadon Sancho’s contract. The club will not activate his “one-year extension option” in January or afterwards.
This means the 25-year-old English winger will be free to negotiate with overseas clubs next year and could even sign a pre-contract agreement in advance.
Loan Spell at Chelsea Failed to Impress
Last season, Sancho was loaned out to Chelsea. During his time there, he made 41 appearances, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists, helping the team win the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Despite that, Chelsea opted to pay a £5 million compensation fee to avoid triggering the £25 million obligation-to-buy clause.
Frozen Out at United, Struggling on Loan at Aston Villa
After returning to Manchester United, Sancho was excluded from the first-team setup. Following a turbulent summer transfer window, he was loaned to Aston Villa on deadline day.
However, two months on, Sancho’s form remains disappointing. He has made six appearances with no goals or assists, and his most talked-about moment came when manager Unai Emery substituted him at half-time.
United Chooses to Cut Its Losses and Avoid Wage Risk
According to a report from talkSPORT, Manchester United’s management has decided to end all renewal talks with Sancho to avoid being tied to his hefty £250,000-per-week salary.
In other words, even if his form improves, the Red Devils would still prefer to let him leave for free next summer.
Villa Unlikely to Buy, Future Looks Uncertain
With the Premier League season 10 games in, Sancho theoretically still has 28 matches left to rediscover his form. However, insiders claim United’s stance is already firm. Since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2021 for £73 million, Sancho has failed to live up to his price tag.
Aston Villa are also reluctant to take on the risk. According to Football Insider, Villa will not consider a permanent deal unless Sancho can quickly adapt and make an impact in the coming months.
In fact, his previous loan spells at Dortmund and Chelsea also ended without buyout deals, a clear sign of ongoing concerns surrounding the player.
High Wages, Low Output: United May Let Him Go
Sancho’s issues date back to his days at Manchester City’s academy, when questions about his discipline and lifestyle began to surface. Despite his underwhelming performances, his wages have never been affected.
Data shows that since joining Villa, he has earned nearly £2 million while making little contribution on the pitch.
According to The Manchester Evening News, it’s rare for a club to allow a £73 million signing to leave for free before the end of his contract. Yet Manchester United now find themselves in precisely that position.
Letting Sancho walk away for nothing might actually be the most logical outcome for one of the club’s costliest mistakes.
