Sancho would be akin to Rooney signing if Manchester United ultimately seal deal

Manchester United have long been linked with a move for Jadon Sancho. But that particular rumour has gone quiet following football’s postponement and the financial issues that come with it.

According to the Mirror, United may be forced to delay their bid for Sancho until 2021. But, if a move does ultimately materialise, it would be akin to the one that brought Wayne Rooney to Old Trafford.

Sancho may well remain in Germany for another year; although United are one of the few clubs in the world that could – at a push – afford to go big on the 20-year-old this year. But don’t underestimate the importance of bringing the winger to the club one day.

United have made a lot of signings down the years, but few have had the impact of Rooney. Signed back in 2004, the striker went on to become a legend for club and country.

He arrived as a teenager with the world at his feet and left as United’s all-time leading goal-scorer and a huge trophy haul.

At 20, Sancho is already a couple of years older than Rooney was when he signed for United. But the move would be similar in so many ways.

United paid £27million for Rooney (BBC), which was a huge fee at the time. They will have to pay considerably more than that for Sancho, but just imagine what a young Rooney would be worth in today’s market.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be getting a player with his best years ahead of him; one who could become a United legend and fill his boots as Rooney did before him.

While Cristiano Ronaldo always pined for Real Madrid, Sancho would be coming home with a return to Manchester. If United do get a deal done either this summer or next, they will have done few better.