Jadon Sancho set the Champions League alight on Wednesday with an outstanding performance in Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
The semi-final first leg was won by a first-half Niclas Fullkrug goal but it was Manchester United loanee Sancho who took most of the plaudits.
Sancho was a constant threat on the right flank, with his 12 dribbles being the most by any player in a Champions League semi-final since Lionel Messi racked up 16 against United all the way back in 2008.
The performance marked a stunning turnaround for the Englishman, after he was banished by United boss Erik ten Hag at the start of the season for posting criticism of the Dutchman on social media, before refusing to apologise.
Since moving back to Dortmund on loan in January, Sancho seems to have rediscovered his love for the game, and according to former Ireland defender Damien Delaney, it's all down to being in a happier environment.
🗣 "Ultimately, he's happy."
🗣 "That type of performance is that something those Dortmund supporters have seen."
Damien and Gary analyse the performance of Jadon Sancho tonight. #UCL pic.twitter.com/78LUeV0swX— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 1, 2024
Damien Delaney blames "toxic" Man United culture for Jadon Sancho struggles
"Ultimately, he's happy," said Delaney on Virgin Media Sport. "He likes being in Dortmund, he likes the culture, he likes the way the fans treat him, he likes the way the club lets him be himself, because they know they're going to get this kind of return from him.
"Since he's gone back, he's been brilliant, tonight was one of the best performances he's had in two or three years in any jersey. He was so central to what they did. He added a touch of class, creating chances, retaining possession.
"There's obviously a culture problem at Man United, with the changing room. If you're going in and people are feeling sorry for themselves, selfish, not turning up as they should do, it's a horrible toxic culture.
"I think it's quite clear that that's the way Man United have been for a long time and if you're a kind of happy-go-lucky character that Jadon Sancho is, late for meetings, he can giggle about it.
"Obviously at Man United, the wrong environment at the wrong time and I'm glad he's finding his feet now. It will give him some options in the summer."
🟡⚫️ Jadon Sancho with 11 successful dribbles vs PSG tonight… the most completed by a player in a Champions League match this season. ⚡️
Borussia Dortmund want to negotiate and keep Sancho at the club next season, as reported earlier this week.
Talks to follow with Man United. pic.twitter.com/b4FmewAimj— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 1, 2024
Jadon Sancho future up in the air
Recent reports suggest Dortmund will look to make Sancho's loan permanent this summer, leaving United fans to wonder what could have been with one of England's most natually gifted players.
Certainly, if Ten Hag stays on as manager, it's unlikely that Sancho will return to Old Trafford, and after his showing on Wednesday, there will be plenty of fans who would have him back ahead of the Dutchman.
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