Man Utd player branded the ‘most disappointing signing in history’ | Football
Louis Saha has branded a current Manchester United player the ‘most disappointing signing in the club’s history’.
United were clinical in the transfer market during Sir Alex Ferguson’s long and successful time in charge but it has been a different story since his retirement in 2013.
Billions have been spent in that period but the huge investment has led to only limited success, with United failing to win the Premier League title since Fergie’s departure.
Paul Pogba, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Hojlund – all signed for at least £70m – are five of Manchester United’s six most expensive signings alongside current star Harry Maguire.
All failed to justify their stunning price tags but former United striker Saha believes Sancho was the ‘most disappointing’ of the lot.
Signed for £73m in 2021, Sancho scored just 12 goals in 83 appearances for the Red Devils before being sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Sancho is remarkably still contracted to Manchester United but is finally set to cut ties with the club when his current deal expires in the summer.
Saha was excited by Sancho’s arrival at Old Trafford and believed he has ‘enormous talent’ and says his struggles were a ‘mystery’.
‘I think Jadon Sancho is the most disappointing signing in Manchester United history,’ Saha told BetVictor.
‘That’s because of the level he had shown at Borussia Dortmund before joining, he showed so much promise because he is an enormous talent.
‘It felt like a mystery. I’m not sure what happened but he didn’t get anywhere near his best and I think he needs a fresh start like Marcus Rashford.
‘I was really privileged to be a football player and I was injured a lot and I wish I could have played the amount of games that Sancho has played at his age and with his talent.
‘I would have really loved him to thrive at Old Trafford because he can do everything. He can do amazing things and so it’s a pity to see all those games wasted.’
Man Utd’s five most expensive signings
- Paul Pogba, £89m from Juventus
- Antony, £82m from Ajax
- Harry Maguire, £75m from Leicester City
- Romelu Lukaku, £75m from Everton
- Jadon Sancho, £73m from Borussia Dortmund
Aston Villa do not intend to sign Sancho on a permanent transfer at the end of the season but the 26-year-old has attracted interest from his former club Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho’s parent club Manchester United sealed qualification to next season’s Champions League on Sunday with a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool.
That victory all but secures third-place for United in the Premier League and Saha expects his former club to challenge for the title next season.
‘They should be competing for the title next season,’ Saha added. ‘They are performing at a higher level than the results across the entire season have shown.
‘If you look at the recent run, you could argue they should have at least 10 more points and could have been in the title race.
‘Next season, with more stability, and two or three key players joining the core group of players we retain, I think we can aim higher.
‘We need to go further in the cups and be competing for the Champions League knockout places. There is definitely more realistic hope.’
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