28 January 2024 , 05:45
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Dimitar Berbatov claimed that Jadon Sancho was not ready for a move to Manchester United over a year before his Old Trafford arrival.
The England winger was long linked with becoming a Red Devil ahead of finally formalising a £73m switch from Borussia Dortmund. Speaking ahead of Sancho officially becoming a Man United player, former striker Berbatov had a word of caution.
He did not believe that Sancho would forge a role for himself in the Red Devils’ first-team. Speaking in 2020, Berbatov said: "I don't know if now is the right time for him to go to Manchester United, I have mentioned it before, I have my doubts here because at United there's Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James.
"It's good to have competition for the team but I would imagine if he moves to a new place he would want to play every game, but rotation is a common thing now in football. From that point of view, you can't guarantee a player will play, but I think we need to go with that assumption, big money and he would like to play.
"For me, he is going to choose the team that he knows he is going to play. Not to move and do nothing because that is going to stop his development and that why I think it may be better for him to stay at Dortmund for one more year, why not?"
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Berbatov’s word of warning turned out to be spot on as Sancho’s Old Trafford career failed to take off. The 23-year-old made 82 appearances for the Red Devils and scored just 12 goals.
He also had a very public falling-out with Erik ten Hag ahead of a loan return to Dortmund. Those that Berbatov expected Sancho to compete with enjoyed slightly more success.
Jadon Sancho struggled to find a way past Marcus Rashford in the Man United pecking order (Getty Images)Does Jadon Sancho have a future at Man United? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Academy graduate Rashford is arguably the standout name. The forward endured a miserable season after Sancho’s arrival and scored just five goals during the 2021/22 season.
He then regained his form with a sensational 35-goal campaign. Rashford has not quite kept up that strike rate this term but still remains a key member of the side.
Elsewhere, Martial also remains a Red Devil but his career at the club looks to be edging towards its ending. Since Sancho’s arrival at the club, the Frenchman has matched him for goals - while also being sent out on his own loan to Spanish side Sevilla.
Surgery has curtailed his current season and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, he could have made his final appearance for the club. One man who has already departed is Welsh winger James.
He left in the same summer that Sancho arrived by ironically completing a move to Leeds. James has since endured mixed fortunes at Elland Road.
The winger had a relatively bright first season ahead of falling out contention and then a loan move Fulham. The 26-year-old returned to Leeds this term and is a star performer amid the Yorkshire side’s battle to return to the Premier League.