Manchester United will see Jadon Sancho return to Old Trafford this summer ahead of discussions about his future.

He trudged off the Wembley turf with a runners-up medal in the Champions League final in what was his final outing of his Borussia Dortmund loan spell. Where he plays next season could depend on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision on the manager.

Sancho’s fall out with Erik ten Hag prompted his January switch back to Germany in the first place and him staying on would likely mean the English winger leaves unless an unlikely apology comes forward. Meanwhile, former boss Jose Mourinho has cast a dim prediction over United’s 2024/25 season with Ratcliffe now at the helm.

Mourinho casts United verdict

Mourinho says United will not enjoy a drastic improvement next season after recording their worst ever Premier League finish this term. The club lifted the FA Cup last month after being knocked out of the League Cup and Champions League before Christmas.

Since the turn of the year, Ratcliffe has installed a new board with more fresh figures set to arrive ahead of the new campaign. However, Mourinho – soon to be Fenerbahce boss – is not overly optimistic.

Asked on TNT Sports how he thinks United will do next season, he replied: “A little improvement, but more of the same. I think at this moment, Pep [Guardiola] laughs at the mess of the other clubs.”

MEN Sport’s Isaac Johnson says:“United can hardly expect a ringing endorsement from Mourinho given the way he exited the club but it is clear they have steps to take before returning to the elite table once more.

“Ratcliffe has impressed so far but the real test will come this summer, and he will be judged on his call on the manager and the success of his new board members. A lot of work needs doing.

“After this season, progression will count as a top-four finish and a Europa League trophy lift. Another further year without Champions League football could be quite damaging.”

Sancho deserves credit

Rio Ferdinand says Sancho deserves to be hailed for his comeback at Dortmund after his floundering years at United. The attacker finished his short-term loan spell with three goals and three assists in 21 outings for the Bundesliga outfit.

Ferdinand told talkSPORT: “The situation that happened between him and the manager, we can debate who was right and who was wrong. But he has been criticised heavily, confidence has been very low, he went into a period of isolation in terms of training away from the squad.

“Now he’s gone away to Dortmund to rebuild himself, as a footballer, as a human being, and he has come out the other side. What he’s achieved in this short little period of time has to be looked at and you go, ‘You know what? This kid’s got character’.

“He’s got personality, he’s built of the right stuff and I think that’s where he needs credit.’”

MEN Sport’s Isaac Johnson says:“Sancho has regained some confidence at Dortmund, but he is still some way off the level he was at upon his £73m switch to United in 2021.

“The simplest way the summer plays out is him leaving if Ten Hag stays – but that is no guarantee and Sancho may yet still have a future at Old Trafford if there is indeed a change of coach.

“He has shown little evidence of being a consistent success in the Premier League, though – his loan spell at Dortmund only proves that the German club are a good fit for him, and not that he would be successful anywhere else but United.

“There will be plenty of clubs after him this summer after his encouraging 2024 spell, though.”