Bruno Fernandes comment speaks volumes on how Man Utd squad feel about Jadon Sancho - The Mirror

Jadon Sancho's loan deal features an obligation to buy for £25m next summer and he has already made a fast impression after setting up Christopher Nkunku's winner for Chelsea against Bournemouth

Bruno Fernandes showed Man United players still hold Jadon Sancho in high regard after singing the winger's praises following his man of the match debut for Chelsea this weekend.

Sancho struggled to shine during his ill-fated spell at Old Trafford and fell out with manager Erik ten Hag, who accused him of poor training performances - before their spat saw the player banished to the reserve team.

The England winger was sent out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in a bid for more minutes - and while he impressed in Germany, his future still looked bleak at United and Sancho eventually secured a deadline day loan move to Stamford Bridge.

Sancho's loan deal features an obligation to buy for £25million next summer and he has already made a fast impression with his new club after setting up Christopher Nkunku's winner for Chelsea against Bournemouth on Saturday.

The 24-year-old dazzled after coming off the bench at half time and his former team-mate Fernandes was keen to single him out for praise after the match.

Sancho - who sent a pointed message to United after the game - uploaded a post on Instagram hailing the win with a photo of him celebrating alongside Nkunku, saying he was "delighted" to mark his Chelsea debut with a win. Fernandes responded: "Some player you [fire emoji] keep that smile."

Fernandes' comments shine a light on the sentiment towards Sancho despite the acrimonious end to his time at United and disagreement with Ten Hag - having effectively called him a liar by denying the Dutchman's claims he was not performing in training.

He looked a player reborn on loan at Dortmund as he started 18 games, scoring twice and assisting another two, becoming a key player and starting the 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

Sancho is now looking to begin a fresh chapter at Chelsea and after starring for the team against Bournemouth, boss Enzo Maresca said he "loved" the £73m winger and told him to keep working hard.

"I love Jadon, I love the players we have," he said. "The reason Jadon is here is because I love him, otherwise, he would not be here. Before [Sancho and Joao Felix] joined the club, I had a chat with them, and one of my messages to them was if you come here and don’t work properly then you are not going to play.

"But the reason why I’m speaking to you is because I really like you. If you come here in the way that we want, we are happy. But if you come there and don’t work hard, it’s better if you don’t come."

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