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Football

27th Oct 2020

Borussia Dortmund boss blames Jadon Sancho’s poor form on Manchester United speculation

Lucien Favre has said summer speculation over Jadon Sancho's future will have played a part in his slow start to the 2020/21 season

Reuben Pinder

Yeah, this again

You thought you wouldn’t have to read the words ‘Jadon Sancho’ and ‘Manchester United’ in the same sentence until at least January, didn’t you? It’s understandable to think that, hope for it even, so tiresome had that transfer saga become. But, it will never go away. Even once Sancho has retired, whether he ever joins United or not, it will forever be referenced as a sliding doors moment. The negotiations will be recounted in biographies. He could become the next Wesley Sneijder.

Anyway, Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre has mentioned all the speculation again, so I’m going to have to tell you about it.

Sancho has not made the best start to this season, with just one goal in all competitions this season. This would nor usually be cause for concern when discussing a 20 year old winger, but this is not ordinary 20 year old winger. This is Manchester United target Jadon Sancho.

Speaking ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League tie against Zenit St Petersburg, Favre suggested the summer of speculation will have had an effect on his form.

“Every player has slow periods,” Favre explained.

“There was a lot of talk about Jadon in the summer, something like that can also have an influence.

“But no player is consistently in top form for a year, that’s impossible. You have to accept that.”

Despite Sancho’s slow start, Dortmund are still level on points with Bayern Munich, one behind RB Leipzig. Sancho will be vital in their pursuit for their first Bundesliga league title since 2012, but there is no need to sound alarm bells just yet.