Jadon Sancho has spoken for the first time since ending his misery as a Man United outcast by joining Aston Villa on loan.
The winger found himself among the ‘bomb squad’ of players training separately at Old Trafford after being deemed surplus to requirements under Ruben Amorim.
Having spent last season on loan at Chelsea before they paid a £5million fee not to make the deal permanent for £25m, he made his next move on Monday’s deadline day.
Sancho will now hope to revive his career under Unai Emery’s tutelage and spoke about the manager’s influence in persuading him to join.
In his first interview at the club, Sancho said: ‘First of all, when I spoke to the manager, he gave me the belief and the confidence and he showed me the plan he had of achieving this year inspired me.
‘He definitely persuaded me and I can’t wait to work under him.’
Jadon Sancho said it was Unai Emery who persuaded him to join Aston Villa
The winger posed for pictures with Emery and Monchi (right) after signing on deadline day
And when asked if Villa could be getting Sancho as he enters his prime at 25, he added: ‘I believe I’m ready to move into the peak years of my career, having that experience and playing for such huge clubs.
‘Hopefully I can bring some of that experience here at Villa and I can’t wait.’
Sancho scored 12 goals in 83 games since joining United from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in July 2021.
He will hope to enjoy the same upturn in fortunes as Marcus Rashford did when sent on loan to Villa Park from United last season.
Rashford was another member of the bomb squad who has been shipped out by United, joining Barcelona on loan, while Antony signed for Real Betis and Alejandro Garnacho moved to Chelsea.
Sancho alluded to having personal targets for the season but stopped short of revealing specifics, adding: ‘As a player and especially as a team, we have to be achieving big things.
‘We have to be looking towards that, and hopefully I can help the team to achieve some of those goals.
Sancho added: ‘I’ve got individual goals, but my main goal is for the team. Achieving something as a team is much more special than individually.
Sancho recently posted a picture with fellow bomb squad members Tyrell Malacia and Antony
‘I feel like all players have individual goals, but the team always comes first. I’ll be looking to achieve goals with the team first.’
The Englishman joined Harvey Elliott and Victor Lindelof as deadline day additions at Villa Park.
Sancho’s move comes after reports he had been delaying a decision on his future due to his his relationship with American rapper Saweetie.
Saweetie had been claimed to be influencing Sancho’s career choices, with the winger having travelled to States side three times in a month.
The former Borussia Dortmund star was reportedly considering ending his career in Europe to move to the United States.
Sancho fuelled romance rumours in May when it was reported that Saweetie, real name Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, had pride of place as his phone’s lock screen photograph.
Famed California-based tattoo studio The Apollo revealed that they had inked Saweetie’s middle name on Sancho’s neck earlier this month
Sancho, who reportedly earns around £250,000 per week, was celebrating Chelsea’s Europa Conference League in May and held his phone aloft as he made merry with Trevoh Chalobah.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted the picture of Saweetie, 32, on his phone and the speculation about his love life has been rife ever since.
Earlier this month, Sancho inked her name on his skin – all but confirming their relationship. But evidently rather than a move to the MLS, Sancho still has ambitions at the top level and will hope to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
