Was Jadon Sancho 'kicked out' of Man Utd? Red Devils director Dan Ashworth explains enigmatic winger's deadline day transfer to Chelsea

Having fallen out of favour under Erik ten Hag last season, England international Sancho was allowed to spend the second-half of the 2023-24 campaign back at Borussia Dortmund. He graced the Champions League final with BVB and appeared to have been presented with a clean slate when returning to Old Trafford.

Sancho figured for United during their pre-season tour of America, and missed a penalty after stepping off the bench in the Community Shield, but saw no Premier League minutes before sealing a switch to Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day – with that deal including an obligation to buy.

United director Ashworth said when asked about the claims of Sancho being forced out of Manchester: “I think with any player, whether it’s Jadon, whether it’s Scott (McTominay) or whether it’s Aaron (Wan Bissaka), if there’s a preference that they would like to move and go to a new club and it’s right for them and it’s right for us, then you have to explore it. 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.”

Ashworth added when it was put to him that Sancho had no future under Ten Hag: “Nothing to do with that. It was a decision that we made — if it’s right for Jadon and it’s right for us to move on. He wanted to explore the opportunity at Chelsea, like Scott wanted to explore the opportunity at Napoli, like Aaron wanted to explore the opportunity at West Ham. We’re not in a position where we’re kicking players out of the club.”

Sancho has made just 83 appearances for United since joining them from Dortmund in 2021, scoring only 12 goals, and will be hoping to rediscover a lost spark amid the fierce competition for places on the wing that exists in west London.