The astonishing numbers that explain Jadon Sancho's Man Utd exit and the challenge ahead

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In confirming the departures of Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho, Manchester United released a statement. It was brief and to the point.

“Everyone at the club would like to thank Casemiro, Tyrell and Jadon for their contributions to Manchester United and wish them the very best of luck for the future.” The kindest response to that is to note that the scale of those contributions varied.

Sancho cost the club an eye-watering £73million when he signed in the summer of 2021. A conservative estimate is that he has earned £60million in wages in his five years as a United player, albeit a chunk of that paid by the three clubs - Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa - who have taken him on loan.

Still, United’s total outlay on the player is way over £100million. And their return?

Eighty-three appearances. Twelve goals. Six assists. Nine of those goals came in the Premier League, a competition in which he made only 41 starts for United.

Some players earmarked for greatness simply do not kick on. It happens. But at the age of 26, Sancho’s career is at one heck of a crossroads.

For those who followed his career from the time he had begun to star for Manchester City’s youth teams after moving from Watford at the of 14, this five-year stall in Sancho’s career has been startling. He was brilliant at City and brilliant at Borussia Dortmund after moving there as a 17-year-old, very much a coming force in European football.

In the summer of 2021, he was winning his 22nd England cap in the final of the European Championships against Italy at Wembley. His next appearance - against Andorra in October of that year - was his last one.

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In the autumn of 2022, Sancho had a three-month break, which his manager at the time, Erik ten Hag, suggested was connected to personal issues. Hopefully, he managed to deal with those, and hopefully, he can meet the challenges that now lie ahead.

Because it is going to be some challenge to re-establish himself as a truly elite player. That United did not decide to trigger a one-year contract extension is damning.

It would not have been triggered because they thought he would be of use to Michael Carrick but triggered so that they could try and sell him. United clearly thought there would be no buyers for Sancho. And they were probably right - certainly no one out there would pay an eight-figure fee for him.

Don’t forget, after five goals in 41 on-loan appearances, Chelsea preferred to pay a £5million penalty to send Sancho back to Old Trafford. Sancho showed flashes of his unquestionable ability in his season on loan at Aston Villa but only started nine Premier League matches. Unai Emery decided not to pursue a permanent transfer.

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Carrick managed Sancho for three games while fulfilling a short interim role after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure as manager. He had this to say about the player.

“Seeing him close up, technically, he’s go an awful lot of ability. In and around the box, his ball carrying, his little plays, the connections, his creativity, the way he handles the ball - he’s got natural ability.

“He’s always had it, all the way coming through. That’s one part of football.

“But - and I’m not talking about Jadon individually on this - it is just how it is and how it should be. You just can’t assume it’s all going to be smooth. It’s proven that it’s not always like that. You’ve got to find a way through it.”

Sancho will find another club, quite probably another Premier League club. But time is running out for him to fulfil his huge potential.