Jadon Sancho’s pivotal role in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 aggregate victory over PSG, propelling them to the Champions League final, has put him firmly in the spotlight. The talented winger’s performances are drawing widespread acclaim and raising questions about his future with his parent club Manchester United. We spoke with John Barnes, a noted admirer of Sancho, to gain insight into what lies ahead for the England international.
In this article:
- Dortmund is the best place for Sancho
- Did Fernandes and Ronaldo block Sancho’s United development?
- United fans need to stop blaming managers for the clubs downfall
- English football is too dynamic for Casemiro claims Barnes
Dortmund is the best place for Sancho
Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January marked a turning point for both his career after leading them to a Champions League final. This achievement stands in stark contrast to Manchester United’s recent 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, highlighting the disparity in current fortunes between Sancho and his parent club. The situation is particularly poignant for Manchester United fans, coming in the same week that Sancho reached the pinnacle of European club football.
As Manchester United grapples with this defeat and ongoing challenges under manager Erik ten Hag, speculation about Sancho’s future intensifies. Some fans and pundits see potential for Sancho to rejuvenate his career at United. Yet, former footballer John Barnes, a keen follower of Sancho’s career, remains guarded about the prospect of a dramatic turnaround, or “remontada,” for Sancho at Manchester United.
“Returning to United in their current state when we don’t know what the future holds for ten Hag doesn’t make sense.
“As a footballer you have to find a home for yourself and he’s happy at Dortmund. The fans at United haven’t really taken to him and is that all of a sudden going to change because he’s done well at Dortmund? I don’t think so.
“You have to find the football club and style that suits you as a player and football at United didn’t suit him. The environment didn’t suit him. Just because he’s done well at Dortmund doesn’t mean he’s going to do well at United again. Dortmund is the best place for him.”
Did Fernandes and Ronaldo block Sancho’s United development?
Whilst Sancho is well known for being a skillful, high technical player with flair and freedom when at his best, questions have been raised about whether the Premier League is too quick and frantic a league for Sancho. When discussing Sancho’s compatibility with the league, John Barnes suggests that the challenges faced by Sancho may stem more from a stylistic mismatch at Manchester United rather than an inherent issue with the league itself.
“Sancho is quick and good enough to be in the Premier League. It’s just that the way Dortmund play suits him better than the way United play.
“Dortmund are a lot more dynamic. Attacking, patient and having patterns of play which allow Sancho to link with team mates.”
When Jadon Sancho was signed by Manchester United under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it appeared to signal a new attacking era at Old Trafford. Sancho, a highly sought-after winger whom United had pursued for two summers, was expected to be a key figure in this rejuvenation. However, the subsequent arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo shifted the dynamics significantly. According to John Barnes, the focus of the team quickly centred on established stars like Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo, overshadowing Sancho’s role in the squad.
“Sancho was a young player thrust into a difficult situation at United and the team wasn’t built around his skillset. It was a team that centred on Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo at the time of him joining.
“He’s young, inexperienced, immature so he will make mistakes but I don’t think the Premier League is too quick or physical for him. I think the league is too quick for someone like Casemiro but Sancho is a quick, dynamic, skilful player who should thrive in the Premier League.”
United fans need to stop blaming managers for the clubs downfall
Thomas Tuchel’s potential availability for Manchester United, should Erik ten Hag depart, presents an intriguing possibility for the club. Tuchel, having managed at Mainz, Dortmund, PSG, Chelsea, and most recently Bayern Munich, brings a wealth of experience from Europe’s top leagues and a proven track record of success, including major trophies at both domestic and European levels. Could Tuchel be the main INEOS turn to in the hopes of spearheading a new United dawn?
“Ten Hag and Tuchel are both great coaches but it doesn’t matter how great you’re. If you’re working at a club where there’s disharmony and a lack of faith and trust within the club, you will always struggle. Manchester United managers always get the blame whether it’s David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solsjaer or Erik ten Hag.
“Players have to take accountability. Look at Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. The players take responsibility and they know the fans will back the manager so if they lose, the manager won’t be blaming the manager.
“As long as United fans continue to blame the Manchester United managers it won’t work out for any Manchester United manager.“
This season has seen United endure The most defeats in any season since 1977-78 and the most goals conceded since 1976-77. This could end up being one of the clubs worst seasons in years depending on how they fare against Arsenal, Newcastle, Brighton and Manchester City.
“Manchester United haven’t done well in the last four or five seasons regardless of finishing fourth or third. They have not been the old Manchester United we used to know”, says Barnes.
“You can’t blame one particular person.
“Until United stick with one man as the leader of the football team and club and support that man without undermining him, nothing will change. Don’t just blame ten Hag. Blame everyone.”
Manchester United are set to return to action this weekend, as they take on Arsenal, in what is certain to be a tricky test for ten Hag’s side. The Red Devils are priced at 11/2 on bet365 to win against Mikel Arteta’s side. Head over to the bet365 bonus code page for a closer look at the great sign-up offer that this operator has to offer their new customers.
English football is too dynamic for Casemiro claims Barnes
Casemiro, the Brazilian midfielder, has faced considerable scrutiny this season at Manchester United, with his performances drawing a significant amount of criticism. Notably, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher labelled Manchester United’s performance against Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football as “embarrassing,” with specific attention on Casemiro, suggesting that he can no longer compete at the elite level.
Barnes believes that while Casemiro’s tenure in the Premier League might be challenging, this does not necessarily indicate a decline in his overall abilities. Barnes suggests that Casemiro could still thrive at a top level but perhaps in a different league or team context where the playing style aligns better with his strengths.
“I don’t think Casemiro is done at the elite level but I think he’s done at United. He’s never been a mobile player but Madrid and the way they played suited him.
“The way United play in terms of their high line and everyone pushing forward means you need a midfield player with high energy that can run laterally and defend the spaces.
“Real Madrid played deep, they defended in numbers, they didn’t jump out of their positions and they didn’t run around too much. Maybe English football just doesn’t suit Casemiro. The pace of the game doesn’t suit him.“
Casemiro was to blame for at least two of the goals Palace scored on Monday night having been asked to deputise at centre half by ten Hag. The Brazilian isn’t the first big signing to stumble across the harsh realities of the bustling Premier League.
“I saw Todd Boehely talking about Kalidou Koulibaly. He told Boehely that when he was in Italy he had time to think and then run. In England you have to run whilst you’re thinking or think before you run which just doesn’t suit certain people. It’s so frenetic.
“Certain types of football suit particular players. With Casemiro, English football is so dynamic where teams attack you a lot.”
