Jadon Sancho has seemingly aimed a dig at Manchester United following Marcus Rashford’s debut for Aston Villa in their 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Rashford, who completed a loan move to Villa in January with an option to buy, came off the bench for a 24-minute cameo on his debut.
After the match, he took to social media, posting: “Thank you for the warm welcome. Great team performance.”
Sancho, now on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United, replied with a single word: “Freedom.”
The response has been widely interpreted as a criticism of Manchester United, where both players endured difficult spells under Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd struggles with Sancho and Rashford
Sancho, who joined United for £73 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford.
His relationship with Ten Hag deteriorated after a public falling-out last year, leading to his exile from the first team before his eventual loan switch to Chelsea last summer.
Rashford, meanwhile, has been linked with an exit from United for several years. Despite scoring 30 goals in all competitions during the 2022/23 season, his form declined sharply.
The arrival of Ruben Amorim as manager failed to revive his fortunes, and he ultimately pushed for a move away.
The 27-year-old had been linked with Barcelona, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and Napoli, but his high wages and poor form proved to be stumbling blocks. Instead, Villa secured his services after selling Jhon Durán to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Emery’s verdict on Rashford’s debut
Despite concerns over his form, Rashford looked lively in his brief debut appearance. Villa manager Unai Emery praised the forward’s contribution but emphasised the need for patience as he settles into the squad.
While Rashford focuses on his new challenge at Villa Park, Sancho’s latest comment suggests lingering frustrations with his time at Old Trafford. As both players look to rebuild their careers elsewhere, their futures beyond the summer remain uncertain.
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