Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has singled out Jadon Sancho for praise following the winger's lively substitute appearance for Aston Villa in their Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Rooney's Verdict on Villa Cameo
Sancho entered the fray from the bench for Unai Emery's side during the match on Saturday night, making a notable impression in his limited time on the pitch. Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, Rooney highlighted the 25-year-old's positive contribution, particularly given his lack of game time this season.
"Jadon Sancho came into this as well, and we haven't seen much of him this season, but I thought he was excellent when he came on," Rooney stated. "Getting the ball, driving with the ball and committing the Chelsea defenders and then they had runners, they had Morgan Rogers making runs in behind."
Sancho's Complex Season and Chelsea Snub
The match held added significance for Sancho, as it came against Chelsea, the club where he spent the previous campaign on loan. During that stint, he played a pivotal role in Chelsea's UEFA Conference League triumph, even scoring in the final against Real Betis.
Despite his contributions, Chelsea opted against activating a £25 million permanent purchase option that was part of the loan agreement. Instead, the London club paid a penalty fee to Manchester United, sending Sancho back to Old Trafford last summer. He subsequently joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan.
Before facing Chelsea, Sancho had managed just 13 appearances for Villa this term. He was also ineligible to play against his parent club, Manchester United, last week due to standard loan regulations.
An Uncertain Future at Old Trafford
Attention now turns to what lies ahead for the former Borussia Dortmund star. Sancho's contract with Manchester United is set to expire in the summer of 2026. However, the club retains an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.
This clause could prove crucial for United, as it would prevent Sancho from leaving on a free transfer and allow them to seek a transfer fee if he is sold. His immediate focus, however, will be on earning more minutes at Villa Park.
Sancho's next opportunity to impress will come quickly, with Aston Villa travelling to face league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night in their final fixture of the calendar year.
