17 February 2024 , 07:00
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Jadon Sancho appeared to make quite the announcement during an Instagram Live Video back in 2021 - shortly after making his Manchester United move.
The winger was among Europe's hottest properties having consistently produced for Borussia Dortmund and United spent more than £70million to land the Englishman. His signing was announced on July 23 with then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continuing to pursue the market.
United had been heavily linked with Raphael Varane, who was looking to pursue a new challenge after a trophy-laden period at Real Madrid. The saga continued for several weeks with the Old Trafford fanbase keen to get an announcement - which Sancho seemed to give them.
The winger took to social media to do a live workout video with one fan commenting: "Touch your hat to announce [Raphael] Varane". Sancho did so seconds later, although we'll never know whether that was a coincidence or a calculated move.
Varane's signing was then confirmed on the opening weekend of the season with the Frenchman strolling out onto the Old Trafford pitch before their game with Leeds United, whom they beat comfortably. The centre-half moved from Los Blancos for £40million.
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Cristiano Ronaldo capped an impressive summer of recruitment shortly after as he made a stunning move back to Manchester, whom he'd left in 2008. It didn't help United's efforts though as the trio contributed to a campaign that saw them finish sixth - four places lower than the previous season.
Ronaldo's spell back in England only lasted 18 months before his fiery interview with Piers Morgan gave the club little option but to terminate his deal. Sancho's future in Manchester also looks to be hanging by a thread after he publicly criticised manager Erik ten Hag.
Jadon Sancho's Instagram antics had fans excited about an imminent signing (Instagram/(@sanchooo10))
Raphael Varane was announced as a Man United player on the opening weekendHe returned to Dortmund on loan in January with a long-term resolution needing to be found in the summer. A move to Saudi Arabia has been touted with United set to accept a major loss on Sancho given their investment in him.
Varane too could be moved on in the summer with the Frenchman no longer the guaranteed starter he once was. The ex-Madrid man had been a regular alongside Lisandro Martinez last season but has fallen down the pecking order with Ten Hag unable to settle on a defensive partnership.
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