Jurgen Klopp has openly criticised Manchester United’s handling of Jadon Sancho, particularly after the star winger was sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund last season, Soccernet.football reports.
Although Klopp is currently on a break from management, the former Liverpool boss did not hold back when discussing how United has treated the 23-year-old England international.
Sancho, who spent the second half of last season at Dortmund and helped them reach the Champions League final, found himself out of favour at Old Trafford following a public falling out with United boss Erik ten Hag.
Despite the drama, Sancho’s loan move to Chelsea ahead of the new season has sparked further debate among fans and football pundits alike.
Klopp believes United’s manager Erik ten Hag could have handled the matter differently, considering how much the club invested in the young forward.
“If the whole world loses trust and faith in the player, the manager has to be the one behind the player. I cannot just buy into that ‘he’s useless,’ like other clubs did by the way – buying a player for £80m and then sending him out on loan!” Klopp said before the transfer deadline, as per the Mirror.
Sancho made 80 appearances for United, scoring 12 goals, before his move to Chelsea.
Klopp’s criticism was echoed by former Liverpool and United striker Michael Owen, who also weighed in on United’s handling of the player.
In an interview with TVSporten, Owen called the situation a financial disaster for United: “The Jadon Sancho situation was a mess, it has been right from the outset…The whole process has probably cost the club £20 million since the argument on top of his fee. And that’s just because you’re too stubborn to have that chat and clear the air.”
United, who have struggled in their first three games of the season under Erik Ten Hag, recording just one win, continue to face criticism for their management decisions both on and off the pitch.