What next for ‘gifted’ Jadon Sancho after Manchester United outcast sparkles at Borussia Dortmund

On Saturday night it wasn’t to be for the tricky Englishman and his Dortmund teammates, with the inevitable Real Madrid Champions League win coming true to form – with the Germans creating plenty, not taking their chances, and then getting Los Blanco’d.

And a dream UCL win in his own backyard wasn’t to be, what has become obvious is that Sancho – at one point regarded as one of the country’s best talents – didn’t become a bad player overnight. Back in his old stomping ground at Signal Iduna he’s rekindled the form that saw him become a £73m player. And it’s lovely to see.

What happens next for him is huge. For Sancho himself, but also for England. In form he’s a monstrous asset to Gareth Southgate, or whoever follows him, and there is a sense that in order to stay in form he may have to get away from Old Trafford on a permanent basis.

Erik ten Hag’s situation could have a big role to play in that, maybe a new manager at United can utilise him better for the Red Devils, get him playing for them like he has for Die Schwarzgelben. But there’s also no doubt that – if it can be done – his German second home would welcome him back with open arms.

Edin Terzic is a huge fan – and given his performances in the second half of the season, it’s not hard to see why.

“I am very happy to work with Jadon,” he said after defeat to Madrid at Wembley. “I don’t know what the future will bring, but for sure it will bring him another Champions League final.

“I didn’t speak about his future because we have been talking about the present – and the present is playing a Champions League final in his hometown, it’s a very special moment for him.

“He is very happy with us and you can see the joy he has and the joy he brings to us. The last six months, he has been brilliant for us. Of course, he took time to get into shape, but you can feel his quality and his skills improved our game straightaway… He not only improved his game, but those around him. He is a player who has never thought about his first touch, it is so natural, and he is very gifted.”

Gifted is possibly an understatement, he’s got magic in those feet of his, but which turf those feet are gracing in 2024/25 could have a huge say on what trajectory his career takes next. At 24 he’s got time on his side, but as he watches England at Euro 2024 from afar he’ll be desperate to make sure that he’s on the plane when they head out to the World Cup in two years’ time.