Jadon Sancho sent £350k to £50k ‘make or break’ transfer warning after following ex-Man Utd team-mate Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa

That is still very good money, but Sancho has grown accustomed to operating at the elite end of Premier League pay scales. He was handed a lucrative contract when leaving Borussia Dortmund for Manchester United in 2021.

That move has not played out as planned, with just 12 goals being recorded for the Red Devils through 83 appearances. A loan spell at Chelsea in 2024-25 allowed the Conference League crown to be captured, but the Blues paid their way out of a purchase obligation.

Sancho now finds himself at Villa, having trodden a similar path to Old Trafford colleague Marcus Rashford - who spent time in the West Midlands last season. The 25-year-old winger has been informed that he has to deliver on expectations.

Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor has told talkSPORT: “His stats are obviously getting worse and worse. For me, his contract is up at the end of the season. I think Manchester United might have the option of an extension of one year. It’s make-or-break. If he doesn’t put in a top season for Aston Villa and do really well, your £350,000-a-week will go down to £50,000-a-week at your new club.

“The problem is, Rashford’s similar, one game is unbelievable, and you’re like, ‘Oh yes,’ next week, ‘Oh, you’re not running around, you don’t fancy it today?’ That’s been the problem with Sancho, and if he does that at Aston Villa, he won’t play.”

Sancho joined Villa on transfer deadline day on a season-long agreement. He may - having not figured for United during pre-season or at the start of the 2025-26 campaign - get the chance to make his debut for the Villans against Everton on September 13.