Dortmund unlock the joy of Jadon Sancho after Manchester United nightmare

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Following the traditional singing by the yellow wall, all the Borussia Dortmund players finally exited the field. However, there was only a single player who caught everybody's attention. Additionally, he was the sole player everyone was eager to converse with.

When Jadon Sancho was finally interviewed by the broadcast media, they couldn't resist asking about Manchester United. However, Jadon Sancho made it very clear that it wasn't the right time or place to talk about it. He responded with a very appropriate answer, saying, "At the moment, my focus is solely on the present."

It's no surprise that he was feeling on top of the world. He had just given an outstanding performance in the Champions League knockout rounds by repeatedly dismantling Paris Saint-Germain, particularly Nuno Mendes, who struggled to keep up. Watching Mendes was painful, but it was energizing to watch Sancho. This is the player that everyone had been anticipating.

It's not right to ask the player about United after such a tough match, but we can't help but wonder. It's incredible how things have turned around since the season began. It's unbelievable that Sancho, who couldn't even make it onto the United first team, has now played a major role in leading his team towards the Champions League final.

Of course, there is an additional aspect to this story. While none of the semi-finalists are English clubs, they have a connection to English players. However, the headlines have primarily focused on Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, leaving little mention of Sancho.

Up to now, he has had an immense influence. A footballer who was born a mere 12 miles away from Wembley Stadium has almost reached his goal, albeit through an unexpected route. This achievement is due to his countless runs that were impossible for PSG to anticipate. It was a delight to watch Sancho frequently changing directions on the field. Although Nuno Mendes was mostly responsible for guarding him on the sideline, the most exciting part was seeing Sancho repeatedly move towards the inside.

The difference between Sancho's play at United and his previous position is quite apparent and catches the eye. He had a less flexible role in United, but Sancho can function better as a contemporary number 10 due to his movements and inventiveness.

Of course, there are additional factors to consider other than just the player's position. Therefore, the matter of United is significantly more intricate than simply deciding whether a player who is performing well should come back. It seems that Sancho has never quite settled at Old Trafford. Perhaps the exorbitant fee paid for his signing and the two-year wait for his arrival placed immense pressure on him, which he was unable to handle, especially given the chaos plaguing United.

Not only did they acquire yet another player at a significant cost, but there was also an expectation for him to become the team's savior. However, in modern football, this approach no longer applies. Sancho struggled to effectively adapt to United's simplified system. It's noteworthy that Ralph Rangnick recognized him as one of the few players who comprehended his concept of "ball-oriented pressing." It's even more surprising that Erik ten Hag has experienced difficulty utilizing Sancho effectively.

It seems that the issue at United was not solely related to Sancho, but rather a combination of various factors. However, there are additional factors to consider as well.

He feels more comfortable playing for Dortmund. The playing style benefits him and the environment is more favorable.

The amount of pressure on United is more intense than that of even a semi-final in the Champions League. This is because Dortmund didn't anticipate making it this far and have higher hopes for themselves. Sancho's style of play contributes to this hope by giving a sense of delight and freedom – like being given permission to explore rather than being required to perform impeccably.

There is a distinction. Sancho frequently distinguished himself by making a difference on the pitch and could have been the deciding factor had his teammates capitalized on some of his opportunities. Towards the end of the game, his pass to Julian Brandt was exceptional, but just one among numerous good ones.

Marquinho stood in the way, obstructing the path. PSG prevent reaching the final. Despite having numerous opportunities, they failed to capitalise. Luis Enrique's confident attitude implied that the team will feel even more determined during the next match compared to Sancho.

The situation will create a new type of stress. Nevertheless, Sancho appears to be prepared to handle it. He has now become the player from England who will receive the most attention.