Rio Ferdinand has praised the character and personality of and says he deserves credit for rebuilding his career at after a forgettable spell at .
The 24-year-old moved from Dortmund to Old Trafford in 2021 but the high profile transfer did not go well, with two underwhelming campaigns and then a public fall out with manager .
saw the England international leave Old Trafford and return to Dortmund on loan where things have picked up for him dramatically.
Sancho will be involved on Saturday night as Dortmund take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley, in quite a remarkable turnaround for him after being frozen out of a struggling Manchester United side.
Ferdinand has been really impressed, believing the winger should be praised for the strength of character he has shown to get his career back on track.
‘A lot has been said about him, a lot of it negative, and I think it’s about time people really give him a little bit of credit,’ Ferdinand told . ‘Because I think it’s been a really difficult period for him. He’s been criticised, rightly or wrongly.
‘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.
‘Whether he wins the Champions League or not, 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.’
Speaking last month, Ferdinand said there could be a way back for Sancho with the Red Devils after his loan spell ends, but only if Erik ten Hag is no longer manager at Old Trafford.
‘I think the only way he goes back to Manchester United is if Erik ten Hag isn’t there,’ Ferdinand said on before Dortmund’s Champions League semi-final second leg against PSG.
‘I don’t think they can undermine the manager and let a player not apologise and then bring him back
‘I don’t think they’ll undermine the manager in that way. I think Ten Hag needs to be gone and out of the building for Jadon Sancho to come back.’
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