What happened: Manchester United have officially confirmed that Jadon Sancho is leaving the club as a free agent, ending a five-year spell that began with a £75m transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. The winger departs after spending his most recent season out on loan at Aston Villa.
Why it matters: The exit closes the book on one of United's costliest gambles, with the club recouping nothing on a player who ranked as its fourth-most expensive signing ever. Letting Sancho walk for free underscores how far the move fell short of expectations and frees significant wages from the wage bill ahead of a rebuild. His spell at Aston Villa ultimately did not lead to a permanent move.
By the numbers: Sancho joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 for £75m, making him Manchester United's fourth-most expensive signing of all time. He leaves on a free transfer five years on, having spent his final season on loan at Aston Villa.
What to watch: Focus shifts to which club Sancho joins next as a free agent and how United redeploy the wage savings from his departure.