'Win-win' - Manchester United are gradually correcting £73m transfer mishap

It is nearly four years since Jadon Sancho completed his long-awaited move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United. After refusing to meet Dortmund's £108million valuation in the summer of 2020, it looked like United had got themselves a bargain when paying just £73million 12 months later.

"Jadon epitomises the type of player I want to bring to the club - he is a forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United," said manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the time.

"He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come and we look forward to seeing him blossom. His goals and assists records speak for themselves and he will also bring tremendous pace, flair and creativity to the team."

It summed up the buzz around one of the most exciting deals United had pulled off for a long time. There wasn't a dissenting voice to be heard as Sancho became the second most expensive English player of all time, behind new teammate Harry Maguire.

He had ripped it up in the Bundesliga and was making an impact with England at that summer's European Championship, and as Solskjaer said, his style certainly looked to belong to United's traditions. Sancho called the move a "dream come true." But it has turned into a recurring nightmare.

We are now at a point where there is a chance Sancho will leave Old Trafford on a free transfer when his five-year contract expires in the summer of 2026. He would be just 26 if that came to pass, but it cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Sancho has had his fill of life at United. He fell out with Erik ten Hag last season, and his "freedom" comment on Marcus Rashford's Instagram post recently made clear what he thought of the club that still holds his registration.

But then Sancho probably thought