Enzo Maresca aims dig at Man Utd after Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea debut

Jadon Sancho had a successful debut for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca's views on the Manchester United man will have turned some heads at Old Trafford.

Sancho moved to the London side on loan for the season at the end of the summer transfer window, with Chelsea having an obligation to buy the United man for up to £25m next year.

It means it is likely the 24-year-old's time at Old Trafford is now over, and it has been an unsuccessful one since a £73m switch from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, particularly since falling out of favour under current United boss Erik ten Hag.

Sancho spent the second half of last season on loan at former club Dortmund, following a fallout with Ten Hag stemming from Sancho being left of of United's squad for a Premier League game against Arsenal.

Sancho has 12 goals in 83 games in all competitions for United, and last night made his debut for new club Chelsea as Maresca's side beat Bournemouth 1-0 away.

Sancho came off the bench at half-time at the Vitality Stadium and grabbed an assist as he teed up fellow substitute Christopher Nkunku to net a late winner as Chelsea took home all three points.

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Sancho had a rocky time at United, as his exile from the first team and subsequent loan back to Dortmund showed.

Speaking after the win on the South Coast, Chelsea boss Maresca aimed what could be construed as a sly dig at United by claiming Sancho is a player that must be loved in a bid to get him at his best - form he clearly did not show in his three years at Old Trafford.

Maresca said: "It's very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love.

"This is what I think when I spoke with him before he join us. Also, I know he has the desire to show the player he is, but for me, it is just to enjoy football."

He added: "This is the reason why they play. They are happy and want to play football, they want to enjoy football and then because they are good, they are going to do good things."