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Manchester United are hoping this summer will be fourth time lucky when it comes to Jadon Sancho. The Borussia Dortmund star is back on the radar of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is hoping to secure his signature when the transfer window reopens this summer. So, with that the case, it’s time to revisit a chat Marcus Rashford had with Ed Woodward about the 21-year-old last year.
Manchester United have tried to sign Sancho three times in the past.
The first was back in the summer transfer window of 2017, when Jose Mourinho got wind the forward would be leaving Manchester City behind.
But United missed out that year, with Sancho opting to prioritise regular first team football over in Germany with Borussia Dortmund instead.
Solskjaer had hoped to land the former City star in 2019, only for the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League to count against them.
And, just last summer, they were priced out of a deal when Borussia Dortmund demanded a fee of £108million to let their prized asset jump ship.
Now, United are primed to try again.
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And, if they go after Sancho with vigour, they’re likely to have the backing of Rashford.
It was reported by the Daily Star last year that the England international had talked with Woodward about Sancho, endorsing a move for his close friend.
Rashford and Sancho have a good relationship off the field, regularly playing video games together in their downtime.
And it seems as though the United star will be fully on board if Woodward, as a parting gift ahead of his departure later this year, helps bring the Dortmund star to Old Trafford.
Players talking with CEOS at clubs across the world is a rarity.
But it speaks volumes about Rashford’s confidence and self-assuredness that he took the steps to back a transfer, especially knowing the high-profile nature of any deal.
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Sancho isn’t the only player on United’s radar, either.
A return for Cristiano Ronaldo is looking increasingly likely, with the Portugal international eager to leave Juventus behind.
He recently fuelled talk of a move away from the Allianz Stadium by thanking everybody at the club for their hard work over the past three years and, as things stand, a move back to his old club is a genuine possibility.
United want a defensive midfielder, with Declan Rice ticking all the boxes for Solskjaer and John Murtough.
And the likes of Raphael Varane, Pau Torres and Kieran Trippier are also under consideration as United look to close the gap on Manchester City next time out.
Speaking after United’s recent Europa League final loss to Villarreal, Luke Chadwick warned the Red Devils against making the same mistakes of last summer.
“I think it’s imperative that someone comes in early, and a big-name signing as well,” Chadwick told CaughtOffside.
“Obviously there’s a huge disappointment from the fanbase after the defeat last night.
“I know Ole’s won a lot of the fans over, but there’s going to be huge pressure because it’s another trophyless season.
“I think you can appease fans a lot if a Kane, or a Haaland, or a Sancho came in in the next few weeks, just showing that they’re serious about strengthening and doing so quickly.
“It was such a merry-go-round last summer, Sancho was kind of on and off, and then Telles and Cavani came in late doors, so I think it’s important that the planning around the off-season, the recruitment, is all in place and they’re ready to go early.”
Chadwick also acknowledged Liverpool’s speed at signing Ibrahima Konate, adding: “Liverpool’s season’s finished, whereas United only finished last night.
“Obviously Liverpool have moved quickly at the end of their season and now hopefully United can do the same.
“I wouldn’t say I’m massively disappointed, obviously he (Konate) is a talented boy, but I’m sure the planning has gone on at Man United after the criticism of how the last off-season went.
“I was very impressed with Pau Torres. Villarreal were very defensively sound. United have a lot of attacking threats but they didn’t really come to the fore last night, and that was down to the way Villarreal defended as a unit, and individuals.
“He looks a top defender and it will be interesting to see if United do go for him.”
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