Enzo Maresca subtly takes aim at Erik ten Hag as Jadon Sancho shines on his Chelsea debut after a nightmare spell at Man United

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca subtly hit out at Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho impressed on his debut.

On transfer deadline day, Sancho left United for Chelsea on loan, with a purchase obligation of £23 million.

The winger endured a difficult period at United after falling out with Ten Hag, and spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

However, Sancho seemed reborn when he made his Chelsea debut as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

Sancho provided the assist when Christopher Nkunku scored the only goal of the game in the closing stages.

Enzo Maresca took a subtle dig at Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho impressed on his Chelsea debut

Maresca said after the match that Sancho ‘needs love’ to perform at his best.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, as reported by BBC Sport, Maresca said: ‘Jadon was good, Joao (Felix) was good, Tosin was good and Christo (Nkunku) was very good. We decided to use Christo as a number 9 because he is good in the penalty area’

“I feel like Jadon needs love.”

Sancho is hoping for a fresh start at Chelsea and it will be interesting to see how much of an impact he can have this season.

Maresca suggested that Sancho needs love to be at his best

Sancho fell out of favour at United after a disagreement with Ten Hag last year

The 24-year-old was dropped from United’s first team last year after criticising Ten Hag in training following the defeat to Arsenal.

Sancho said he was made a ‘scapegoat’ and refused to apologise to Ten Hag, saying their relationship could not be repaired unless an apology was offered.

Sancho appeared to be back in the spotlight when he played for United in pre-season after returning from a loan spell, but he ultimately left.