Sancho left Dortmund for Old Trafford in a £73million deal in 2021, expecting to inherit a stronger chance of challenging for trophies and reaching the dying embers of the Champions League.
However, in his two-and-a-half years, he’s been involved in two of United’s worst-ever Premier League campaigns and crashed out of the Champions League last 16 and Europa League quarter-finals.
A public row with Ten Hag prevented him from playing in this season’s European campaign. United finished bottom of Group A behind Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen, and Galatasaray.
But Sancho made a surprising return to Dortmund on loan in January and is instantly enjoying more success than after leaving Germany three years ago.
The 24-year-old started against Atletico on Tuesday, where Dortmund won 4-2 to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit and secure a spot in the final four.
Paris Saint-Germain await the Bundesliga giants after completing a comeback of their own by beating Barcelona 4-1 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.
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Sancho will now play in the Champions League semi-finals, a stage United haven’t reached since 2011 when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were beaten by Barcelona in the final for the second time in three years.
The Red Devils have entered the quarter-finals of the competition just twice in their nine Champions League campaigns since.
They’ve crashed out in the round of 16 three times and failed to progress out of their group on four occasions. Ten Hag’s side are almost certain to be absent next season.
Sancho has already twisted the knife into United by claiming that Dortmund felt like “home” after registering an assist in his second debut against Darmstadt in January.
“Ever since I’ve come back I have felt at home and I’m just happy to be back on the pitch again,” Sancho explained.
“It was meant to be, coming back and seeing Marco [Reus] again. He’s a great friend of mine, and I’m happy to set up his goal.
“[My goal is] to be happy again, to be back on the pitch, to help the team, get them back in the top three, and qualify for the Champions League.”
And there may be a hint of envy in some corners of Carrington to see the ex-England international, along with loanee flop Marcel Sabitzer, shining bright on the biggest stage.
