Man Utd loanee told he is a symbol for his club’s very disappointing season

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Manchester United are not the only club enduring a disappointing season in 2023/24. Look to Germany, and Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund were one game away from winning the Bundesliga title last season, losing it to Bayern Munich on the final day.

Now without Jude Bellingham they have regressed. They rank fourth in the Bundesliga, with fifth placed RB Leipzig one point behind. Meanwhile leaders Bayer Leverkusen are 17 points in front.

Returning loanee Jadon Sancho was brought back amid much fanfare. It has not panned out so far.

Sancho’s performance in the Champions League was heavily criticised in Germany this week, and Manchester United supporters had a lot to say too.

Jadon Sancho under fire

Jadon Sancho provided an assist in his first Dortmund game. And since then, absolutely nothing.

It’s understandable to a degree, if self-inflicted. Sancho did not play a single game from September to December, and his last start at any competitive level was last May.

Manchester United were quick to loan him out to Dortmund at the start of January, and he is temporarily the German side’s problem.

German channel Sport1 wrote yesterday that the on loan player is emblematic of the club’s current problems.

They led: “Sancho is a symbol for the BVB season. It is no secret that Sancho, like many other BVB players, has extraordinary abilities. They just haven’t really been able to use it in the team this season, with a few very few exceptions.

“After six appearances, one thing is certain: Sancho’s laughter is back, but his performance is not yet.”

Second leg is another chance

For Jadon Sancho, playing in the Champions League for Dortmund should have been his moment to rub Manchester United’s nose in it, that somehow, the club had contrived to fumble his talent.

Yet, his no-show, only underlined that this is a player who has lost the spark which made him worth £73 million back in 2021.

The second leg against PSV brings another chance. Sancho will be keen to grab it, but whether he is capable, is another matter entirely.

Dortmund need a Champions League run to salvage their season. The tie is finely poised after the first leg finished 1-1, with Donyell Malen cancelling out Luuk de Jong’s penalty.

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