The winger has played a key role in the Bundesliga side’s run to the Champions League final, and victory at Wembley would see him become the first United player to lift the trophy since 2008. After Dortmund beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on aggregate in the competition’s semi-finals, Sancho is just one win away from tasting European glory.
Should Edin Terzic’s side upset favourites Real Madrid, the 24-year-old will be the only player registered to the Red Devils to collect a competition winners medal in the last 16 years.
Man United won the 2008 Champions League title, beating Chelsea on penalties after the game was locked at 1-1 after extra time. And Sir Alex Ferguson’s star-studded line up for that night’s Moscow decider was a far cry from the current group of players turning out at Old Trafford. In fact it was so good, Gabby Agbonlahor even likened playing them to a cheat code.
United’s attack featured some of the world’s best at the time, including sporting icon Cristiano Ronaldo, all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney and tireless Argentine forward Carlos Tevez.
The all-conquering team also boasted an enviable midfield pairing of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, with 13-time Premier League champion Ryan Giggs only on the bench. Meanwhile, their defensive unit was led by one of the Premier League’s greatest central pairings in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, alongside ever-present full-back Patrice Evra and legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
The English giants lifted their third European Cup after van der Sar saved penalties from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka to secure a 6-5 win in the shoot-out, despite Ronaldo missing his spot-kick.
