“I didn’t speak about the future,” said Edin Terzic, referring to Jadon Sancho’s next steps before Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League final.

“I’m really happy he is with us and I think you can feel the joy he receives in the dressing room and the joy he brings to the dressing room and I’m very happy to work with Jadon.”

The winger’s form has undoubtedly improved since returning to his former club, as he has started every European knockout game on his way to Wembley. Sancho was so at home that he was seen leading the dressing room celebrations following his semi-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

Three goals and two assists in 21 games is not the type of output that prompted Manchester United to pay £73 million for him in 2021, but his on-field demeanour appears to be as good as it has always been at Old Trafford.

In interviews, he has conveyed an attitude of happiness and gratitude for the opportunity to return. It’s difficult to reconcile the Sancho character at Dortmund with the one who refuses to apologize to Erik ten Hag.

After a fallout with the Dutchman, who is now set to stay at Old Trafford, in September, Sancho was barred from all first-team activities and had to be replaced by the scholars.

Whether the manager’s comments about his training levels were correct or not, the player chose to respond by posting on social media, claiming he had been’scapegoated’. Sancho may believe that reaching the Champions League final with Dortmund proved he made the right decision in standing firm.

United coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that the player is adamant about not saying sorry, viewing it as an admission of guilt. Ten Hag demonstrated with Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo that he will not allow his authority to be undermined, and Sancho is unlikely to be an exception.

Dortmund appear eager to secure another deal for Sancho, with manager Sebastian Kehl implying before the Champions League final that his club “will negotiate”. He stated: “He [Sancho] still has a contract with Manchester United. We don’t have a buyout option, so we have to negotiate.”

Dortmund are thought to be unable to secure a permanent deal for Sancho, but could bring him in on loan for the entire season. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to seek sales this summer in order to free up funds within Premier League spending constraints.

Furthermore, a deal with Dortmund may have suffered as a result of Terzic’s surprise departure from the club by mutual consent. This raises the possibility that any replacement will dislike Sancho, and the situation at Dortmund may change from when he arrived in January.

Of course, the club structure has not changed, and the hierarchy, as well as the majority of the players, remain the same. However, Sancho cannot afford any more time away from action, having already missed a chunk of the 2022 festive season.

While a return to Dortmund appears to be a natural and positive step, Terzic’s departure raises doubts about the possibility and may encourage others, particularly loan-linked Juventus, to take a chance.

Sancho has stated that a move to Saudi Arabia is not in the cards, which reduces the number of potential suitors. The worst-case scenario is that Sancho refuses to apologize to Ten Hag and returns to exile at United.

Sancho will be determined not to let this happen, but he will want assurances from Dortmund about any new manager before making a return. However, if he is to secure a move away, he may be forced to accept whatever comes his way.