All the latest Manchester United news as Jadon Sancho and Antony reunite at the UEFA Conference League final after their Reds struggles
Jadon Sancho showed his true colours following Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. The 25-year-old winger, who joined the Blues on loan from Manchester United last summer, played a crucial role in the victory at the Wrocław Stadium on Wednesday night.
Abde Ezzalzouli fired Real Betis ahead inside the opening ten minutes, giving the Spanish outfit the lead at the break. Chelsea leapt out of the blocks in the second half, with Enzo Fernandez netting an equaliser on the hour mark.
A few moments later, Nicolas Jackson found net, latching onto a delightful cross from Cole Palmer. Sancho doubled the west Londoners’ lead with an excellent strike after cutting inside onto his right foot.
Then, in stoppage time, Moises Caicedo added a fourth, crowning Chelsea champions of the Conference League. After the final whistle, Sancho made an effort to deliver his commiserations to Antony, who’s also on loan from United this season.
The duo embraced before parting ways. The Manchester Evening News understands that the Blues have an obligation to buy to Sancho from United for £25m; a clause that was activated when Enzo Maresca’s side defeated Fulham in April, which guaranteed a 14th-place or above finish in the Premier League.
Chelsea can, however, pay a £5m penalty fee to cancel the deal. In order to remain compliant with profitability and sustainability rules, United require £14.58m for Sancho’s signature this summer.
As it stands, it remains to be seen whether or not the west London outfit look to keep him on a permanent basis. Regardless of whether Chelsea sign Sancho, Sir Jim Ratcliffe doesn’t appear to be a fan of the winger.
Speaking to BBC Sport in March, the British billionaire questioned why United forked out £73m for Sancho in 2021. Ratcliffe said: “If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying [Andre] Onana, we’re buying [Rasmus] Hojlund, we’re buying [Jadon] Sancho.
“These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things, and have to sort it out. For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17m to buy him in the summer. It takes time for us to move away from the past into a new place in the future.”
Sancho appears to have settled in west London, having enjoyed a brilliant end to the season. Speaking to the official club website upon his arrival at Chelsea, he said: “London is where I grew up and I’m happy to be back. Chelsea is iconic.
“My idols growing up were Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and now I have the opportunity to play for this club like them. It’s a great feeling.”
Then, in November, Sancho added: “For me, ever since I was growing up, Chelsea just seemed to be like a family, a winning culture. I remember when Chelsea were in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
“I was with my friend and he bet me…he said if Chelsea won he would do some sort of forfeit. I can’t remember the forfeit, I just remember that when Ramires scored that chip away, he was upset!
“And then obviously Fernando Torres scored that last-minute goal to close the game out. It was funny. Then, obviously, the final speaks for itself. Drogba coming in clutch.
“For them to just bounce back the way they did, it just shows the mentality of top players, top teams, and top coaches…”
2025-05-28 22:03:56
