Jadon Sancho had the perfect response to being left out of the England squad on Thursday, by scoring a brilliant opener for Manchester United against Sheriff Tiraspol.
Gareth Southgate sprung a surprise on Thursday when Sancho was left out of his final squad before the World Cup, for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany.
The United forward had fallen out of favour last season but his form early in the current campaign made most believe that Southgate would hand him a recall.
Advert
That didn't happen, with Jarrod Bowen and Jack Grealish retaining their places as forwards in the squad, and Ivan Toney handed a first call up.
Sancho didn't take long to answer that missed call up however, as United faced Sheriff in the Europa League, opening the scoring in the 17th minute of the game.
A brilliant team move ended with Christian Eriksen playing the perfect chipped through ball into the box, and the former Borussia Dortmund forward bamboozled the Moldovan's defence, before slotting home.
The goal also included one of the most wholesome celebrations that you're likely to see, with the forward whipping out his shin pads after scoring.
That's because a young fan recently went viral after handing over the protective equipment with a picture of Sancho on, with the kid's parent telling the footballer he should wear them for his next game, and forward agreeing to do it, with the celebration proof he's a man of his word.
It was the 22-year-old's third goal of the season, having previously bagged an important goal in the win over Liverpool and the winner against Leicester City.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward is now just two goals behind his tally for the entirety of last season, in all competitions, which explains why he was dropped by Southgate in the first place.
His form this season not only makes a mockery of his absence from the Nations League squad but also the criticism of former Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor.
The talkSPORT pundit claimed that United would be better off with Marko Arnautovic, who the club had been linked with, rather than the English star.
Sancho's fellow United teammate Marcus Rashford also missed out on an international recall, despite excellent form, due to an injury.
Rashford's unavailability, coupled with the same from Anthony Martial, meant that Cristiano Ronaldo was handed just his third start of the season.
The five time Ballon d'Or winner started in last week's loss in the Europa League, to Real Sociedad, and was criticised for his performance.
Fortunately he did get on the scoresheet in Moldova, converting from the penalty spot after fellow countryman Diogo Dalot had been tripped, and doubling his side's lead.
United need to secure all three points, having lost to Sociedad last Thursday.
Topics: Manchester United, Europa League, Premier League, Sheriff Tiraspol, Jadon Sancho
Ryan Sidle