At Euro 2020, staged in 2021, German media were astounded at how little England boss Gareth Southgate was using Jadon Sancho.

The winger - then aged 21 - started just one game and played just seven minutes in two other matches, including the final. Sitting across from him on the bench was 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham, who was also getting German analysts excited.

He featured in three matches at the tournament although played 40 minutes fewer and stayed on the bench as the final went to penalties. Today, ahead of Euro 2024, everyone is putting Golden Boy winner Bellingham as the first name on the team sheet while Sancho is not even in the squad conversation.

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Manchester United forked out £73m for Sancho more than two years ago and will be fortunate to get two-thirds of that back. He remains exiled amid his ongoing fallout with Erik ten Hag, almost certainly killing any dreams of a return to Germany with England for next summer's Euros.

It seems he will be leaving Manchester at some point, though. His refusal to budge over an apology to his manager means an exit in January is likely, although probably only on loan.

In an ideal world, United should be aiming for a sale. Firstly, it is never beneficial having a first-team star exiled from the squad with the saga looming over the heads of the remaining members.

Of course, he is out of the frame with the senior side so focus will not be as easily distracted but out of sight does not mean out of mind. Players have told Sancho he is in the wrong and have urged him to apologise, so teammates are clearly still in contact.

This all plays into the mood and atmosphere of the squad. You may like your boss, but if your colleague has a spat with him or her, things get awkward.

More pertinently, a Sancho sale would help ease Financial Fair Play [FFP] worries and bring in much-valued cash. Current United officials have communicated their concern over breaching FFP rules and may be less eager to spend in January, once again.

Everton’s 10-point deduction will have only stoked such fears so a permanent exit for Sancho would free up room for Erik ten Hag to operate within the winter market, which may well be needed if United’s season continues to head south. However, this is not an ideal world. Clubs are typically tighter on funds during the winter window and supposed loan frontrunners Juventus are not known for their financial stability.

Saudi Arabian clubs may not have that issue but reports suggest Sancho is not keen on a move to the Gulf state. Furthermore, United may wish to hold out and get as good a deal as they can for Sancho.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to take over sporting control within the coming weeks and days, a loan in January would buy him time to assess the situation. His first decisions as a new boardroom player will count and he will be eager to show his colours when it comes to the Sancho saga.

United will not get as much for Sancho in January as they would during the summer, despite this shaving six months off his contract. Clubs will have more to spend in the off-season and Sancho will still have two years left on his deal.

The best route would be for United to rake in some immediate, appropriate cash for Sancho in the new year but that may not be forthcoming. And with Ratcliffe yet to get his feet under the desk, perhaps the club will have to make-do with a mid-season loan so a more calculated exit route can be constructed.