Dortmund Chief On Manchester United's Treatment Of $105M Star: 'It Hurts My Soul'

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says it "hurts my soul" seeing Jadon Sancho's lack of playing time at Manchester United.

After chasing Sancho for over a year, Manchester United finally signed the English midfielder from Dortmund in the summer of 2021 at $105 million. But the 21-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Old Trafford.

Sancho has only started two Premier League games for the Red Devils and was left as an unused substitute in their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa. Out of his overall seven appearances for Manchester United this season, across competitions, Sancho has been on the field for full 90 minutes only once, according to Transfermarkt.

Dortmund chief Watzke hesitantly allowed Sancho to leave for Manchester United during the recently concluded summer window. Taking a dig at the Red Devils, Watzke has suggested that since Sancho is a back-up player in Gareth Southgate's England national team, he is yet to become a regular at Old Trafford.

"I love Jadon, when you see him playing you get tears in your eyes. It hurts my soul that he is given so little consideration. I think his problem is that he's not set in the English national team. This squad, when it's depleted, still isn't up there with the best in the Premier League," Watzke told Sport1.

Sancho established himself as one of the finest talents in Europe during his time with Dortmund. The Englishman, who made his senior debut with the Bundesliga side, finished his spell at Dortmund with 50 goals and 64 assists in as many as 137 competitive appearances.

However, Sancho is yet to replicate the same form in the red shirt. Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has preferred the likes of Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood on the wings and the recovery of Marcus Rashford could provide further competition. Sancho is yet to score or even provide an assist in his maiden season with Manchester United.

Manchester United's upcoming game is a Champions League home fixture against Villarreal on Wednesday. Following this, the Red Devils are scheduled to host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. With four wins, a draw and a loss, Manchester United are currently placed fourth in the 2021-22 Premier League table.