Jadon Sancho’s standout performances for Borussia Dortmund could unintentionally hinder Manchester United’s chances of securing a Champions League spot for the upcoming season.
Currently on loan at Dortmund following a disagreement with United’s manager Erik ten Hag, Sancho had been absent from United’s first team for half a year. He rejoined his old club Dortmund temporarily and is now rediscovering the form that initially led United to invest £73 million in him.
Sancho’s pivotal role in Dortmund’s advancement to the Champions League quarter-finals, especially after scoring a stylish goal in the second leg against PSV, may have repercussions for United. As the season concludes, United is striving to land a top-five finish in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League, but they currently sit in sixth place.
The qualification process is set to change next season, with an increase from 32 to 36 teams, allowing two additional teams to qualify based on their country’s collective performance in European competitions. England lags behind Italy and Germany in the co-efficient rankings, partly due to early exits by Newcastle and United from the Champions League.
Sancho’s success with Dortmund is bolstering Germany’s position, leaving England trailing by 0.625 points. To secure one of the additional qualifying spots, United must depend on strong performances from fellow English clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, and also aim to finish fifth in their domestic league.