Now that Sancho is looking for a fresh start, Watford legend Troy Deeney has questioned his next move's motivation, suggesting the Englishman is likely to regret his time at Manchester United.
Deeney said on talkSPORT Breakfast: "I do wonder if Sancho will be able to come to terms with his choices in the long term.
"I mean, people who retire knowing they've given their all, maybe they just got old, or got injured, or something else happened, they'll say, 'Okay, I can accept that, because I've given everything.'
"I feel, given the talent he had, the transfer opportunities, and the chances he was given,
"I do think the Manchester United experience may have diminished his love for football."
Deeney believes that Sancho's frustrations at Manchester United may have led him to reconsider his career goals and given him the opportunity to sign a lucrative contract in the Middle East.
He continued: "Ten Hag once put him in the U21 squad for a while.
"Then he went to Chelsea and won, and then to Villa and won, but neither club tried to keep him.
"So I'm wondering, will he now feel, 'This is a bit like just going for the money, getting as much as possible out of it'?"
Sancho made 39 appearances for Villa in all competitions during the 2025/25 season, starting only 18 of them.
He ended that season with 1 goal and 3 assists, and came on as a substitute for 9 minutes in Villa's 2-0 Europa League final win over Freiburg.
His time in English football has not lived up to the expectations generated by his early career, when he was considered one of the most talented young players in football during his spell at Borussia Dortmund.
The then-teenager shone in the Bundesliga between 2017 and 2021, scoring 54 goals and providing 45 assists in 188 appearances.
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waudmpruz
0
Very good player but chose the wrong club.Us career destroy because he chose Man utd. ug he stayed at Dortmund probably he will be successful.
What happened to the other clubs he joined
Cekabcpsy
0
That's true Denney. I like Denney because he talks senses always.
Olingo
0
he singlehandedly destroyed his career
Fouabdimsy
0
His ego not Man Utd
dudcelnor
0
Freedom fighter
tembcdmnpr
0
Sancho came for money
tembcdmnpr
1
man utd regret more than. Sancho was a shame and a lost to man utd
rumikmpuyz
0
Another Mario Baloteli
ndyagumgerald
3
Man u His pride destroyed him
Rekabelnou
6
For me he was never a top player, was been hyped by the English media.
Lunadorz
1
His Manutd stint actually diminished his love for football and increased his love for money instead of making wise decision to save his career Sancho is responsible for his own downfall coz he should have signed for Chelsea
Wasn’t he at Chelsea
luhbcdeouy
3
Sancho like other players who left manunited had one problem, Attitude.
Wopdeimst
0
hahahahaha
Kuzcdkruy
1
Very good player but chose the wrong club.Us career destroy because he chose Man utd. ug he stayed at Dortmund probably he will be successful.
Pimabceips
4
Deeney, if you were about to half of this energy you use in analyzing others into your career you wouldn't have ended up in one trophy-less Club without winning even a table knife 🗡️. What was Sancho's contribution in the trophies he won at Aston Villa and Chelsea. The only thing I know is on the side of Sancho is Luck, a very big luck. The only player who always benefits from others sweat, always get to the Dinning when the food is about to be served.
gallasyommy
3
His Manutd stint actually diminished his love for football and increased his love for money instead of making wise decision to save his career Sancho is responsible for his own downfall coz he should have signed for Chelsea