'He's made his stance clear' – Man Utd legend casts doubt on Jadon Sancho return

Former Manchester United player Steve Bruce has spoken about the chances of Jadon Sancho returning to the club next season.

Sancho departed United for Borussia Dortmund on a six-month loan in the January transfer window after two-and-a-half rocky years at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer first signed the young England international from Dortmund in the summer of 2021. However, despite a wealth of promise, the 24 year-old former Manchester City youth never settled back in the city, and the winger ended up re-signing for the Bundesliga outfit after falling out with United manager Erik Ten Hag.

Sancho has made 58 appearances for United and scored nine goals during his time with the Red Devils. But his time at Old Trafford was punctuated with ups and downs that stemmed from a clash with Ten Hag that resulted in the two exchanging barbs through social media and press conferences.

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Speaking to Sky Sports in January this year about his relationship with Sancho, the United boss explained: "He's now at Dortmund. So after he was signed, one year before [I was here], and there were issues. We have had issues all the way through, and so you can make out his stay at Manchester United so far is not a success."

The Sancho debate continues to rumble on with United legend Steve Bruce now having his say on the chances of Sancho reigniting his career at Old Trafford, however his forecast isn't positive. Talking exclusively to Betway, Bruce said: "I would doubt it if the manager's going to stay. I think he's made his stance on it clear, when you let somebody out the door, unless there's a coming together with the pair of them then that’s that."

Sancho looks to be enjoying his football again in Dortmund and had been integral to Edin Terzić's side in their journey to the Champions League final, with the England international putting in several impressive performances including a stunning display in the Champions League semi-final first leg against PSG.

The former Hull City manager added: "He's played very, very well by all accounts. It's fair to say also that we didn't see the best of him at United for one reason or another. But they didn't seem to be able to fix it when the kid was at United, for whatever reason. He's gone away to Dortmund and got to a Champions League final, so fair play to him."

Bruce, who won 12 trophies including three Premier League titles with United, believes the pair's falling out has stemmed from a clash of characters and that when a manager makes a decision then that's final. The former Newcasle boss said: "There seems to be a personality clash between him and the manager. And rightly so, the manager should always win."

Dortmund paid United a €3.5million loan fee and €4m in add-ons for the England international, but United expect to pocket more with the German side's advance to this season's Champions League final on June 1 against Real Madrid. Despite Sancho showing promise once again on the pitch, another former United great also had his say on the situation.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand also believes that Sancho's return to Manchester will only happen if Ten Hag is shown the exit. Talking to TNT Sports he said: “I think the only way he goes back to Manchester United is if Erik ten Hag isn’t there. I don’t think they can undermine the manager and let a player not apologise and then bring him back."