Stan Collymore has claimed that if Aston Villa transfer target Jadon Sancho left Manchester United then the only way he can go is ‘backwards’.
The former Aston Villa striker stated that the 23-year-old should be given ‘another season’ by Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Collymore admitted that Jadon Sancho, who moved to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund In 2021, hasn’t lived up to exceptions, as he told CaughtOffside.
That’s why there are rumours doing the rounds that he could leave this summer, with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa expressing interest.
The Midlands side, who will return to Europe next season, are looking for wide attacking players, as Emery wants to enhance the quality of his XI and boost his squad.
Some would argue that perhaps a step down for Sancho is needed and he can then start to thrive, but for Collymore, he needs to be given another chance in his current environment.
“I love Sancho – I have always maintained that he could be the difference between United winning major silverware and not,” said Collymore. “But there is no denying that he has yet to live up to expectations following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund two years ago.
“Fortunately for the winger, he has the biggest advantage on his side – time. He’s only just turned 23 so his prime years are still three, four, maybe even five, years away.
“He also still has up to four years left on his contract at United, so the club are in no danger of losing him right now but we are fast approaching the time when the Englishman has got to turn it around. He did show glimpses of what he’s capable of at the end of last season, but Erik Ten Hag and the United-faithful will want to see more of that right from the get-go next season. If I were his manager, I would give him another full season to really show what he can do before I am thinking about loans and transfers.
“For Sancho, he has got to say to himself ‘I’m at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where would I go from here?’ – Because the answer is backwards. Based on what he’s done at United since he’s been there, he’s never going to a better club for a huge fee so if he’s serious about having a really successful career, he’s in the right place so go on and do it.”
Sancho should stay at Man United
The key thing that needs to be noted is that ten Hag is looking for players of Sancho’s ilk, the only issue is that he has that player on board and he isn’t performing.
Yes, It’s not ideal how the versatile forward has performed for the past few seasons, but another full campaign under ten Hag, who is now comfortable in his chair, might just see the Englishman start to motor.
Of course, if he continues to go down that very same road next term, then he will probably be out of the door by January because the Man United fans won’t be forgiving.
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