Manchester United's hierarchy have been left with egg on their face following the likely departure of Jadon Sancho to Chelsea.
Sancho arrived at the Old Trafford outfit three years ago amid plenty of fanfare following a successful time in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.
Penning a deal worth £73million, Sancho was tipped as the future of the United attack, but the winger endured a torrid spell with the Red Devils.
It culminated in Sancho having a high-profile falling out with manager Erik ten Hag last season, before spending the second half of the campaign out on loan at former club Dortmund.
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His performances did catch the eye back at die Schwarzgelben, but the financial demands all but ruled Dortmund out of the running to make his move a permanent one from the off.
Instead, the Englishman has spent the summer looking for a new club after it became clear Ten Hag didn't have Sancho included in his season plans.
Sancho's prayers were answered late in the window when Chelsea came forward as a suitor, with the 24-year-old making the move during a hectic deadline day for the Blues.
But, as details about his move emerged, it became clear United had been left red-faced following the disastrous Sancho saga.
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It's reported by the Daily Mail that Chelsea will pay United a fee in the region of £20million next summer when Sancho's move, which is initially a loan, is made permanent.
As well as being over £50m less than United paid for him in 2021, the fee is a step down from the rumoured £40m the three-time European champions had demanded earlier in the summer.
It goes to show the eagerness with which United wanted to move Sancho on, not only to eliminate any lingering bad blood in the dressing room, but also to free up space on the club's wage bill.
United themselves have been busy this summer, making a total of five permanent signings.
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It all started with Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, who arrived at the Old Trafford outfit early doors, before Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt joined as part of a double swoop from Bayern Munich.
Four became five on deadline day when Manuel Ugarte, a long-time target for Ten Hag, completed his £42m switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ugarte move took United's spend for the 2024 summer window close to the £200m mark, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. now expecting Ten Hag to deliver results on the pitch.
United have just the chance to do that this weekend when rivals Liverpool make the short trip for Sunday's clash at Old Trafford.
