Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Borussia Dortmund attacker Jadon Sancho’s heroics will help Manchester United in their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Ferdinand believes Sancho’s good form for Dortmund has made him more desirable in Europe, meaning United would make more money if they sold him this summer.
Jadon Sancho delivered a masterful performance against PSG in the Champions League
Sancho was the best player on the pitch as Borussia Dortmund secured a 1-0 win over PSG in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday night (May 1). The England international didn’t score or provide an assist, but there was something wonderful about the way he beat defenders for fun.
During the game he completed an astonishing 13 dribbles – more than any other player in the Champions League this season. He also created three chances, won seven balls and won a game-high 14 ground duels. The 24-year-old rightly took home the Man of the Match award at the end of the first leg.
Rio Ferdinand praises Jadon Sancho’s performance and explains why it is beneficial for Manchester United
After a dispute with Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag in the first half of the season, Sancho moved to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January. Since then he has played 17 games for Dortmund, scoring three times and providing two assists.
Manchester United legend Ferdinand was impressed with Sancho’s performance against Dortmund but wondered why he couldn’t make such an impression at Old Trafford.
He said on TNT Sports:
“He is [Sancho] in the groove. When someone gets going, we see it in different sports. When they are in the groove and the confidence is there, they deliver these performances.
“He’s going to come out of this pitch with a hit, we’re going to see all these people talking about it on social media, and he’s going to love it, and rightly so. I hate to go back but I want to know what happened at Man United. Why didn’t things go well there?”
Ferdinand continued:
“The frustration at Man United used to be that great. He doesn’t do it by hitting people, looking at the defender and saying, “Fine, I’ll go past you.”
“Also the physicality of the Premier League. Was that a problem? I don’t know. There are so many different things you look at and think what it could be, only Jadon can tell us that.”
Finally, Ferdinand said that Sancho’s excellent form would help United if they wanted to sell him in the summer. Finally he added:
“But when you look at the way he played in a Champions League semi-final, you can’t discount that. There is a plus point for him and Man United tonight, the value has gone up again.”
Before joining Dortmund on loan, Sancho played 82 games for Manchester United between July 2021 and January 2024, scoring twelve goals and providing six assists.