Manchester United reportedly told high-profile pundits to stop praising Jadon Sancho last season when he excelled whilst out on loan.

The winger publicly clashed with Erik ten Hag 12 months ago and was frozen out of the first-team at Old Trafford. Sancho claimed he was being made a "scapegoat" after the Dutchman omitted him from a matchday squad, citing poor training performances.

Ten Hag's standoff with Sancho lasted months and it continued to come up in press conferences. The former United boss wanted an apology but didn't get one - eventually sending Sancho out on loan at the first opportunity as he headed back to Borussia Dortmund.

The winger was able to rediscover his best form back in Germany. Whilst the Manchester outfit continued to struggle under Ten Hag Sancho helped the Bundesliga outfit make the final of the Champions League. He personally starred in victories over Atletico Madrid and PSG.

Ally McCoist, for example, said on TNT Sports: "Sancho looks like a different player entirely. His body language is like the player Man Utd bought. You can tell a lot from body language and he wants to take people on and play. He certainly looks rejuvenated. It is confidence, he has his mojo back. He is in an environment where he is liked and he looks like a different footballer."

Owen Hargreaves added: "Jadon was outrageous, it just shows the talent he has. His body language suggested he believes. There was a bit of arrogance. At United he didn't commit people but Jadon answered a lot of questions. He outplayed every player on the pitch and there are world-class players."

Sancho was reborn in his second stint with Dortmund ( Image:

Sancho returned to Manchester in the summer and there was talk of him and Ten Hag patching up their differences. The winger took part in their pre-season tour of the United States but was allowed to leave for Chelsea late in the transfer window. He was headed out on loan but the Blues have an obligation to buy him next summer.