Jadon Sancho finally showcased his immense talent and determination as he terrorised Paris Saint-Germain’s defence in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal for Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho is currently on loan at his former club in Germany from Manchester United as he fell out with Erik ten Hag towards the start of the season.
The Englishman signed for United from Dortmund for £73 million in 2021 but struggled under successive managers to make an impression. After his public spat with Ten Hag, he expressed his delight at the January move.
“When I came into the dressing room today, it felt like ‘coming home’,” Sancho said. “I know the club inside and out, I’ve always been very close with the fans here, and I’ve never lost contact with those in charge.”
The Sporting News takes a look at his performance against PSG in the first leg, which took the social media world by storm.
MORE: What happened between Ten Hag and Sancho?
Jadon Sancho vs PSG for Borussia Dortmund
If you tuned in to the UK commentary on TNT Sports, you might have been convinced that Sancho had transformed into prime Lionel Messi during Dortmund’s showdown with PSG.
Maybe there is some truth to that. He became the first Englishman on Opta’s records to complete 11+ take-ons in a single Champions League game, according to Squawka.
The last player to complete more in a Champions League semifinal was Lionel Messi against Man United in 2008 with 16.
Jadon Sancho is the first Englishman on @OptaJoe’s records to complete 11+ take-ons in a single Champions League game.
The last player to complete more in a #UCL semi-final? Lionel Messi against Man Utd in 2008 (16). 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/WiAWnJ0cd2
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 1, 2024
Though he was lively, it’s a level of performance that Man United fans have been eagerly anticipating for the past three seasons.
Many fans online wondered why they had not seen this Sancho in a United shirt.
Jadon Sancho stats vs PSG
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 99 |
| Shots | 0 |
| Pass accuracy | 88% |
| Chances created | 3 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 0.34 |
| Successful dribbles | 12/17 (71%) |
| Passes into final third | 5 |
| Duels won | 13/19 (68%) |
Jadon Sancho stats for Manchester United
It all went a little pear-shaped when he signed for United in 2021 as he became a part of the trio of signings that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side tipped as title contenders.
The club signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane in the same transfer window and expectations ran high.
But it wasn’t to be that season and Solskjaer was sacked just three months into the campaign, leaving Ralf Rangnick in charge on an interim basis. Sancho’s role was ever-changing under the carertaker boss.
The German manager wanted more from the then-21-year-old, saying: “We can give him a helping hand and show him we are trying to accompany him and give him all the necessary assistance that he needs, but in the end, it’s up to him to take the next steps.”
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists | Mins |
| Premier League | 58 | 9 | 6 | 3,673 |
| UEFA Champions League | 7 | 1 | 0 | 394 |
| UEFA Europa League | 10 | 1 | 0 | 496 |
| FA Cup | 4 | 1 | 0 | 303 |
| Carabao Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | 124 |
| TOTAL | 0 | 12 | 6 | 4,990 |
