Michael Carrick has refused to rule out the possibility of Jadon Sancho returning to Manchester United, praising the winger's resurgence during his loan at Aston Villa. Sancho, 25, has been out of favour at Old Trafford since a public falling-out with former manager Erik ten Hag in 2023, spending time on loan at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea before joining Villa in the summer of 2025.
Speaking ahead of United's match against Villa, which Sancho is ineligible to play in, Carrick said: 'You can never be surprised with anything in football. Sometimes you come to a club, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t quite work. Jadon Sancho has got talent, that’s why he came to the club to start with, and he’s had some really good moments.'
Carrick, who was caretaker manager when Sancho scored under him, added: 'He’s ended up finding himself at Aston Villa, so he obviously had a good spell at Borussia Dortmund as well. Champions League final so he’s certainly got talent. What happens next and how we move forward then we’ll just have to wait and see.'
Sancho has shown improved form under Unai Emery at Villa, scoring his first goal for the club in January and becoming a more regular starter. Villa hold an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, but Emery has said he is yet to decide, noting that Sancho will need a new contract and other teams could be interested.
Sancho’s contract at United expires this summer, meaning he could leave on a free transfer. His last appearance for the club was in the 2024 Community Shield, and he has not played for United since a social media post aimed at Ten Hag in September 2023.
