- Sancho fell out with Ten Hag at Old Trafford
- Sent out on loan to Dortmund
- Bundesliga side into last four of Champions League
GettyJadon Sancho told he's 'won' battle with Erik ten Hag after dealing Man Utd major Champions League blow in Borussia Dortmund colours as fans react to damning statistic that shows how far Red Devils have fallen
WHAT HAPPENED?
Sancho played 86 minutes for Borussia Dortmund as the Bundesliga side beat Atletico in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday. The on-loan Manchester United star is enjoying his time in Germany and his efforts have also dealt a blow to his parent club's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League. England, Italy and Germany are all battling for an extra spot in next season's expanded tournament which is based on UEFA's country coefficient. Italy lead the way but Germany have now pulled clear of England thanks to Dortmund's win, which is bad news for the Red Devils. The top two nations will earn an extra spot.
WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
Fans also think Dortmund's triumph means Sancho has won his own battle with Ten Hag after being exiled by the Manchester United boss and then offloaded on loan.
Manchester United fan account @UnitedRadar wrote on X: "Jadon Sancho has reached the semi-finals with Dortmund. This must be horrendous for Ten Hag."
Another supporter @ReadItSaidIt, added: "Congratulations to Jadon Sancho for going further in the champions league than 'best signing since Cantona' bruno fernandes and Ballon dor rashy have ever gone."
Sancho is not the only ex-Manchester United player in the semi-finals, as pointed out by @BendIt7ikeBecks: "Sancho and Sabitzer in a CL semi final. This club hasn’t been in one since 2011. Ronaldo has 36 goals this season. Bruno, Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund have 29 goals. De Gea conceded 43 goals last season. Onana 48 goals conceded 6 games to play. Erik Ten Blag."
Another supporter, @TJayyyy_1, highlighted United's lowly Premier League position: "Sancho & Sabitzer helping their team to the UCL SF, somewhere United haven’t been since 2011. Then you’ve got ETH rotting in 7th."
And @WelBeast showed how Sancho might just be feeling right now regarding Ten Hag, posting the famous 'I won' meme from hit TV show Breaking Bad on X with the caption: “Jadon Sancho is heading to the Champions league semifinals while Eric Ten Hag is sat at home unsure of whether or not he'll still have his job at the end of the season."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Sancho's success comes at a time when Ten Hag's position as manager is under pressure after a disappointing campaign. The Red Devils are currently down in seventh place in the Premier League table but a distant 13 points behind Aston Villa in fourth. However, there is still a chance the Red Devils could finish the season with a trophy as they remain in contention in the FA Cup.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sancho has made it further in the Champions League this season than any Manchester United side has managed since 2011 - as per ESPN. That shocking statistic prompted fans to ridicule the club and it's manager online, with the criticism likely to continue if Sancho can help Dortmund make it to the final.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT
Sancho and Borussia Dortmund now go on to play PSG for a place in the final of this season's Champions League. The Bundesliga side are in the semi-finals for the first time since finishing as runners-up in the 2012-13 campaign. Meanwhile, Manchester United will aim to book at spot in the FA Cup final on Sunday when they take on Championship side Coventry City at Wembley.