18 January 2024 , 02:00
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Jaap Stam reckons Jadon Sancho's loan switch from Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund is the best outcome for all parties - but could lead to awkward questions for Erik ten Hag.
Sancho, frozen out by Ten Hag back in September after publicly calling into question his manager's integrity, has returned to former club Dortmund for the rest of the season. Former United defender Stam claimed Sancho was desperate to return to his old club, having failed to make the desired impact at Old Trafford following his £73million move in 2021.
“I think it's better for everyone that Jadon Sancho is back at Dortmund,” said Stam. “He probably did everything he could to leave United, because that's how these things go when a player is not happy. It seems like he did everything to make this move away.
"You know, sometimes, when a player is not happy and he's doing things that you're not happy with, don't give him anything, just let him play with the under-23s or whatever, all season.
“But then that's not good for the under-23s, it's not good for the club and it means he stays. That's not good for the first-team, because he's got friends within the squad and that doesn't help things for the manager.
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“The club needed to make the decision to let him play his football somewhere else. It's good for the manager, because it means he's not going to be asked the same questions about the player.
“Although, of course, if he goes and does well in Dortmund, I'm sure people will then ask the manager why he allowed the player to leave.
“But I think it's better for all parties that he moved on. It's better for everyone that he left, I think.”
*Jaap Stam was speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone.