Man Utd: Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and the ‘freedom’ loanees are finding away from Old Trafford

Marcus Rashford made his first club appearance away from Manchester United during a 30-minute cameo for Aston Villa on Sunday.

Rashford was introduced in the 66th minute against Tottenham and went on to show glimpses of his fit and firing self during Villa’s 2-1 FA Cup victory.

Often criticised over the last 18 months for a lack of intensity and effort, the 27-year-old’s first touch saw him challenge Kevin Danso in the air, winning the ball and leaving the Spurs defender in a heap. That duel was one of four he won and six he contested in total while on the pitch.

He also looked like his vintage self going forward. Spurs right-back Pedro Porro fell victim to Rashford’s brief highlight-reel display when he was nutmegged and beaten with ease.

Rashford troubled Porro during his time on the pitch, and, despite leading the line for Aston Villa, he found himself enjoying possession in his favoured wide-left position in a fluid attack.

Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers benefited from Rashford’s presence as Villa continued to carry a threat in transition. There was also promise in a link-up with fellow substitute and debutant Marco Asensio as the pair combined to unnerve the Spurs defence.

In a post on Instagram following the game, Rashford thanked Villa Park for a warm welcome, to which his former United team-mate Jadon Sancho commented “freedom” in what fans have interpreted as a dig at United.

Both players remain on United’s books but their respective situations share some parallels, with Sancho also on loan at Chelsea after falling out of favour with former United boss Erik ten Hag last season.

Sancho spent six months at his former club Borussia Dortmund last term after being banished from Ten Hag’s squad for disciplinary reasons. However, Sancho’s current loan at Stamford Bridge is understood to include an obligation to buy if certain thresholds are met.

Sancho himself has found some ‘freedom’ away from Old Trafford, starring in Dortmund’s Champions League run to the final at Wembley in 2024. This term for Chelsea, he has matched his United assist record in 68 fewer games with six. Sancho has also scored twice this season for the Blues.

Elsewhere, other players have also benefitted from their temporary moves away from Manchester.

Antony, on loan at Spanish club Real Betis, has claimed back-to-back player-of-the-match awards in his two appearances in LaLiga and scored his first goal for the club in their most recent outing, a 3-2 defeat to Celta Vigo.

Tyrell Malacia, who returned to his native Netherlands on a short-term deal, impressed on his debut for PSV Eindhoven. The left-back managed three key passes and created a big chance during a 1-1 draw with Willem II.

The loans paint a part of a larger picture that raises further questions about a limiting Old Trafford environment.

Scott McTominay, who left United last summer, is currently spearheading a Napoli push for the title as Antonio Conte’s side sit top of Serie A.

Anthony Elanga left the summer prior for Nottingham Forest and is one of the key members of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side who are third in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Fred, who left in the same summer, is performing in a Fenerbahce team led by former United boss Jose Mourinho who are in the hunt for the Turkish league title.

In the past, Gary Neville has famously labelled Old Trafford as a “graveyard for footballers” – while an incendiary statement when taken at face value, it is an assessment that is reinforced every passing day with players finding life elsewhere.