Four months after signing for the club, Jadon Sancho must have been relieved when he scored his first goal for Manchester United in their crucial Champions League clash against Villarreal.
The 21-year-old, who joined the ranks at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in a £73 million deal, has made 16 appearances for club and country this season but the majority of those minutes have come from the bench.
Sancho was far from a regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but on Tuesday night, caretaker manager Michael Carrick gave him a place in the starting eleven - and the England international repaid that faith with a cracking goal.
Jadon Sancho bags his first Man Utd goal!
A thumping finish to complete a cracking counter and seal the win :fire:
Job done in Spain.#UCL pic.twitter.com/bOiPrZytEn
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 23, 2021
Proud to score my first goal for @ManUtd in the best competition in world football @ChampionsLeague !
Great team effort from the boys tonight, we build from this. :red_circle: pic.twitter.com/50Milb4Cc7
- Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) November 23, 2021
Sancho looked dangerous down the right flank, showing glimpses of his form for Borussia Dortmund against the Spanish side as he linked up with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek.
It was a great night as well for the latter, who has also struggled for first-team minutes this season under Solskjaer.
The former Ajax midfielder, who scored the last goal of the Solskjaer era in last week's 4-1 defeat to Watford, impressed against Unai Emery's side.
It looks like Van de Beek is finally enjoying his football at United and after the final whistle, he shared a wholesome moment with Jadon Sancho; a player he has shared the bench with on several occasions this season.
Van De Beek is really happy for Sancho.:heart:pic.twitter.com/Qo0x6oGd1S
- :tm: (@zezextra) November 23, 2021
United's caretaker manager Michael Carrick was delighted with Sancho's showing in their 2-0 win on Tuesday night.
"I was so pleased for Jadon," Carrick told United's website. "I thought he worked his socks off tonight, I thought he gave everything tonight.
"At times, it wasn't always with the ball and I know how much he enjoys the ball at his feet and trying to make things happen.
"He showed a different side tonight and, to get his goal at the end, pretty much capped it off perfectly for him and for us."
First United goal :white_check_mark:
Player of the Match :white_check_mark:
Knockouts secured :white_check_mark:
Congratulations, @Sanchooo10! :fire:#MUFC ' #UCL pic.twitter.com/T8BpxPOL4Y
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021
Thoughts on Sancho's performance last night? Does he deserve more starts in a United shirt?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: Sony
Topics: Donny van de Beek, Football, Manchester United, Villarreal, Jadon Sancho
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