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At least Manchester United will have some representation in the Champions League final but the optics of it are terrible for the club.
Jadon Sancho has inspired Borussia Dortmund to a shock UCL final berth after some determined defending and goalposts helped them get past Paris Saint-Germain.
It means that Sancho, who has become a crucial player for the Bundesliga giants, is set to play in his first-ever Champions League final.
Nobody thought it would be for Dortmund, but that pretty much sums up the fortunes of this season’s United.
However, Fabrizio Romano reports that United at least stand to gain something from this upset in Europe.
Romano has revealed that United are set to receive extra money from Sancho’s loan deal after Dortmund’s qualification.
He tweeted: “Jadon Sancho’s loan fee set to rise again for Manchester United profit… and Borussia Dortmund will be more than happy to pay that extra amount.
“Fantastic signings, Sancho and Maatsen on loan in January — now making it to Wembley for #UCL final with BVB.”
It points to there being a clause in the loan contract about a specific amount United would be owed if Dortmund made the Champions League final.
Neither club would have thought that it was a very likely outcome but it is safe to say Dortmund will be much happier paying that fee than United would be receiving it.
A player who looked finished and out of confidence in the malaise at Old Trafford will have a chance to win the biggest club competition, one that United won’t even be playing in next season.
Ten Hag recently revealed they have been in touch with Sancho during his loan spell, opening the door for a potential return under him, if he stays next season.
In any case, they’ve at converted a distressed asset into a prized one, even if they lost the perception war in the process.
