'British ignorance' - Jadon Sancho transfer message after Man United dressing room claim

Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Paul Lambert has suggested the culture at Old Trafford could be a factor behind Jadon Sancho's failure to make his mark at Manchester United.

Sancho returned to Dortmund in the January transfer window, signing on loan for the remainder of the season, after falling out with United manager Erik ten Hag back in September. The winger accused the latter of lying about him after he was left out of the matchday squad for the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Sancho was banished from all first-team activities, resulting in him returning to Dortmund for the rest of the campaign. After requiring time to get back up to speed after going several months without playing, he has excelled in recent weeks, playing a key role in helping the German club reach the Champions League final.

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Despite his recent eye-catching performances, United are still aiming to sell him in this summer's transfer window. Dortmund have already confirmed they would be interested in retaining him.

Sancho, regardless of the reason behind his January exit from Old Trafford, struggled to make the impact he and United had hoped for after being signed in July 2021. He failed to make a significant impact under three different managers, resulting in him scoring just 12 goals in 82 games.

But for former Aston Villa manager Lambert, who spent a year at Dortmund as a player and won the Champions League - which Sancho is hoping to emulate - the culture at the Bundesliga club suits the winger down to the ground, whereas the one at United could have been a "nightmare for him" to adapt to.

"At Dortmund, Sancho has gone into a really good dressing room, a good culture with good guys and he gets respect," Lambert told Betway. "At United it could have been an absolute nightmare for him.

"He may have not liked the way it was or it might not have been what he thought it would be. Being back at Dortmund, with some of the players that were there when he left. He's playing with one of the biggest clubs in European football without a shadow of doubt.

"Why would he want to go back to United? He's in the Champions League semi-final, he could be a Champions League winner."

Lambert also believes Sancho's relationship with the Dortmund fans has been key to his recent resurrection.

"He has been excellent, especially against PSG," Lambert added. "Saying he's having a nightmare is all British ignorance. The boy has been playing so well, just watch him.

"I think you've got to delve deeper to see how well he's playing and how he's adapted to life back at Dortmund. It might just be that the lifestyle suits him more.

Dortmund is every bit as big a club as United, you're getting 83,000 fans a week and if you doubled the size of the stadium they would sell that out two. Everyone wants to see that atmosphere.

"The players and fans have that rapport and I think Jadon Sancho loves that. He wants to be loved and that raises his level when he's playing."