Jadon Sancho discipline and commitment issues leave Niko Kovac sceptical as Borussia Dortmund bosses split over bid for Man Utd outcast

According to Sky reporter Patrick Berger, Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has reservations about Sancho’s attitude and past discipline problems and his commitment, which could hinder the winger's return to Signal Iduna Park. The 25-year-old has already had two spells at Dortmund, the first of which made him a fan favourite and a highly sought after talent. Dortmund's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, is reportedly "a big fan" of the player, but it could all come down to what the head coach wants.

Sancho has had a rocky road since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2021. The Englishman failed to live up to the expectations, making just 83 appearances and scoring 12 goals for the Red Devils in all competitions. His turbulent spell at United hit a breaking point in September 2023 when then-manager Erik ten Hag publicly cited poor training performances as the reason for his omission from the squad.

However, Sancho didn’t take the criticism lightly and hit back on social media, which led to his return on loan to Dortmund in January. While Sancho enjoyed a productive spell in Germany, Dortmund didn't trigger a permanent move, which led to his return to Old Trafford. However, his stay didn't last long as he joined Chelsea on loan with an obligation to buy, though the Blues decided to pay a £5m penalty to terminate that agreement.

Sancho came through the youth ranks at Manchester City, having joined the academy in 2014 but things turned sour three years later as he eventually forced a move, resulting in his transfer to Dortmund.

Amid Kovac's reluctance, Sancho’s future remains in cold. Juventus have shown interest in signing the winger, but they must clear space on their wage bill before making a move. With United manager Ruben Amorim making it clear that Sancho is not part of his plans for next season, the England international is desperate to find a suitable club before the transfer deadline closes.