"It was a real shame" - Former Manchester United coach details reasons for Jadon Sancho's struggles at the Old Trafford club

Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has talked about why English forward Jadon Sancho struggled at the Red Devils. The South African coach suggested that poor understanding and communication was why things went wrong for the winger.

Speaking on the On the Whistle podcast, he said:

"It was a real shame...I thought he was the type of player that would flourish in the United shirt. I think lack of communication and understanding was was part of the downside."

Sancho completed a big money move to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 for a reported £73 million from Borussia Dortmund. However, he failed to reach the heights he did with Dortmund at Old Trafford, recording just 12 goals and six assists in 83 appearances with the side.

The Englishman spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Dortmund and performed well as the side reached the Champions League final. This came after the winger had a reported bust-up with manager Erik ten Hag, leading him to get frozen out of the squad.

Despite claims that the pair had set their differences aside, Sancho eventually found a move away from Manchester United this summer. He has joined Chelsea on a loan move, with the Blues having an obligation to purchase the player for £25 million at the end of the season. He has begun his tenure with the London side well, collecting three assists in three Premier League appearances.

Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United must use motivation from losses

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag claimed that the side's poor performance in the loss to Tottenham must fuel them for their upcoming matches. Speaking ahead of their Europa League clash, he said (via the Guardian):

“As always when we are not winning, we are very disappointed and we are also mad; mad with ­ourselves and especially when you lose a game like Sunday.”

“Also, when you had to play such a long time with 10 players and after the [Bruno Fernandes] red card is overturned that gives frustration because such a long time to play with 10 is of course never in your advantage and it had a real impact on the game but you have to deal with it. We are mad and from the madness we have to get motivation and go on to the next game,” he added.

It has been a forgettable start to the 2024-25 campaign for the Red Devils. With just two wins in their first six Premier League games, they find themselves in 13th position in the table.

Manchester United will be hoping to get back on track with a win against Porto in the Europa League. They endured a frustrating 1-1 draw with Dutch side FC Twente in their first fixture in the tournament.