Winger’s move to London looks a smart piece of business now, with Manchester United dropping the ball again

A penny for Manchester United’s thoughts when a day that began with Dan Ashworth’s ignominious departure from Old Trafford ended with their discarded £73m winger, Jadon Sancho, sparking Chelsea’s thrilling comeback at Tottenham last Sunday.

Dysfunction has rarely operated on such a grand scale. United are a black hole, a place where young talent goes to disappear, but for Chelsea the opposite is true. Talent finding space to flourish at Stamford Bridge is not an issue any more. The development of Enzo Maresca’s side has moved at frightening speed and, after his struggles on and off the pitch at United, it has been fascinating to watch the joy return to Sancho’s game since joining Chelsea on loan in the summer.