Key Man Utd man to decide fate of “unlikely” £25m transfer problem on one condition

Manchester United could be haunted by an old problem this summer.

United offloaded Jadon Sancho to Chelsea on loan last year, hoping to end his underwhelming stint at Old Trafford.

The loan deal included an obligation to make the transfer permanent in the summer for around £25 million if Chelsea finish above 14th in the Premier League.

The London outfit are currently placed fourth in the league table.

With only nine games remaining, that clause seems all but guaranteed to be activated.

However, there have been rumours that Chelsea could withdraw from the agreement by paying a large proportion of the £25m fee.

According to ESPN, United will let manager Ruben Amorim decide Sancho’s future in the unlikely event he returns to Old Trafford.

Sancho has endured a forgettable campaign, bagging two goals and six assists in 29 appearances across all competitions.

The 24-year-old reportedly earns £250,000 every week and Chelsea could consider cutting their losses by paying a one-time fee.

Sancho has had a difficult stay at Old Trafford under former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.

His relationship with Ten Hag hit rock bottom in September 2023 after a public falling-out, leading to a brutal four-month exile.

He was sent to Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign.

Once hailed as a generational talent, Sancho has failed to justify the hype surrounding his arrival.

Tactically, he could fit as a creative number 10 in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, but his behavioural issues make him a risky bet.

His controversial social media activity has also sparked outrage among United supporters.

Given the baggage that Sancho brings him, Amorim would be wise to cut him loose.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.