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Man Utd sporting director explains why Jadon Sancho joined Chelsea
Manchester United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, explained the decision to allow Jadon Sancho to join Chelsea on loan, with an obligation to buy, during the final moments of the transfer deadline day.
This move effectively marked the end of Sancho’s challenging three-year tenure at Old Trafford.
Sancho had been reintegrated into the first-team squad during pre-season after resolving differences with manager Erik ten Hag.
However, he was excluded from the matchday squad for United’s first two games of the new Premier League season, prompting speculation about his future.
In an extensive interview alongside CEO Omar Berrada, Ashworth elaborated on why the club felt comfortable letting Sancho leave. He explained that with United’s considerable depth in wide attacking positions, the club was in a position to consider offers for Sancho.
“I think with any player, whether it’s Jadon, Scott [McTominay], or Aaron [Wan-Bissaka], if they express a preference to move to a new club and it’s right for them and us, then we explore it,” Ashworth said. “We felt we had enough depth in that particular position to be able to cover it. We’ve got four really good wide players, Jadon was a fifth, and it just enabled us to make that decision that, if it was good for him and good for us, it was something we were willing to consider.”
When asked if this move signaled the end of Sancho’s future at United, Ashworth clarified: “It had nothing to do with that. It was a decision we made—if it’s right for Jadon and right for us to move on. He wanted to explore the opportunity at Chelsea, just like Scott wanted to explore the opportunity at Napoli, and Aaron wanted to explore the opportunity at West Ham. We’re not in a position where we’re kicking players out of the club.”