Rio Ferdinand points out key reason why Jadon Sancho and Man Utd didn't work out

Rio Ferdinand believes Jadon Sancho was destined to fall short of expectations at Manchester United because of the team's style of play.

The winger, 24, moved to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund back in the summer of 2021 for a mammoth £73million fee but struggled to replicate his dazzling Bundesliga form in the Premier League.

After being frozen out by Erik ten Hag last term, Sancho was farmed out on loan and has now played his final game in a Manchester United shirt after joining Chelsea on a loan deal which includes an obligation to make the move permanent next summer.

While Sancho's form has been a big talking point over the past 18 months, Ferdinand reckons he was always up against it as United failed to evolve into the sort of the team they aspired to be long-term upon signing him.

“I just look at it and think – wow, what went wrong? This is a chapter in his career that I think he will want to forget,” Ferdinand said on his .

“Let’s go through why we think it didn’t work for him at Manchester United. One – I think the playing style of the team, I don’t think, ever suited him. Big transitions, Man United became a transition team and I don’t think that’s the way Jadon Sancho sees or plays football.

“I think when recruiting him, we were recruiting him thinking that our style would evolve into a team that dominates possession. If we would pressure we would pressure high and the team would stay high and play intricate one-two passes.

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“He’s more of a footballer. I think the idea that Jadon Sancho was going to come in and dribble from the edge of our box all the way to the other team’s box, like other wingers, that’s not what he has ever been about.

“If you play to his strengths and the team is built to suit him, then I think we would have got a different Jadon Sancho. I don’t think the style ever fit in the end.”

Sancho, who made 83 appearances in total for the Red Devils, has welcomed the chance to make a fresh start at Stamford Bridge, saying: “I'm really excited to be here. London is where I grew up and I'm happy to be back.

“The manager spoke to me about the project and, for a young player, it's exciting. Hopefully I can bring goals and assists to the Bridge.”

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