Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist told TNT Sports: “Sancho looks like a different player entirely. His body language is like the player Man Utd bought.

“You can tell a lot from body language and he wants to take people on and play. He certainly looks rejuvenated.

“It is confidence, he has his mojo back. He is in an environment where he is liked and he looks like a different footballer.”

Sancho finished the match with 12 successful dribbles, the most completed by a player in a Champions League match this season.

It was also the most by a player in a Champions League semi-final since Lionel Messi in April 2008 against Man Utd (16) and the most on record in the competition by an Englishman.

With performances like this, it is no wonder Dortmund want Sancho to remain next season.

But, for the loan to be repeated next season, or turned into a permanent transfer, it would require significant compromise on all sides.

Dortmund can’t match the salary Sancho gets at United. But United, under severe pressure to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, cannot just hand over an asset of that size.

It is clear there is no future for Sancho at Old Trafford if Ten Hag remains as manager. But he may not, which opens up the possibility of a return to United even if the feeling persists he will be playing elsewhere next season.