Manchester United will let outcast leave for free in 2026

Transfer insider Dean Jones told TEAMtalk that United have little interest in activating the clause. He explained that the wages tied to such a decision would only worsen the problem, since the club have struggled to shift underperforming players on large contracts. Jones added that unless Sancho produces an exceptional season at Villa, buyers are unlikely to pay a meaningful fee. At the same time, reports revealed that Marco Silva is the latest addition to the potential candidates who could replace Rúben Amorim, and this uncertainty about leadership could influence how decisively United act in the market.

“People talk about extending in order to avoid losing him on a free, but who is going to buy him? That’s been one of the big problems.

“Also, if they activate an extension clause, then you have to consider the salary that still then continues.

“One of United’s big issues with the out-of-favour players has been that they were all earning so much money and that they’ve been stuck with them clogging up the wage bill – so while it’s obviously not ideal to lose Sancho on a free transfer after spending so much money on him, it might just be worth cutting ties.

“It is unlikely they are going to get anyone to pay a good fee for him unless he has an incredible season at Villa.”

Opinion on Sancho’s Future

It is difficult to escape the feeling that Sancho’s time at the club has been one long disappointment, given the excitement around his £73 million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Fans waited for the flair, pace and consistency the 25-year-old displayed in Germany, but instead saw a player struggling to adapt, weighed down by expectation and eventually falling out publicly with Erik ten Hag.

In four years, he managed just 12 goals and six assists across 83 appearances, a poor return for someone signed to be a key attacker. His loans to Dortmund and Chelsea never settled the debate, with Chelsea even paying a £5 million penalty to avoid making his move permanent. That should tell us all we need to know about his standing at elite clubs.

From United’s perspective, Sancho has become a heavy burden with his £200,000-a-week salary and an attitude that does not fit Rúben Amorim’s plans for the team. If Aston Villa choose to commit to the Englishman, it would solve a financial headache and allow United to reinvest in players who genuinely want to be at the club. Extending his contract only makes sense if the club see a resale market, but given his trajectory, that looks unlikely.

More likely, United will cut their losses, let him go for free if necessary, and focus on shaping a squad that mirrors Amorim’s identity. In the best scenario, Villa pay to keep him permanently, because keeping him around at Old Trafford no longer serves anyone. We believe Sancho will never fully revive his United career, and sooner rather than later he will leave, with Aston Villa standing as his most realistic long-term destination.