Michael Carrick thinks highly of Jadon Sancho after working closely with him during his first temporary spell in charge back in 2021. The former Manchester United captain has taken on an interim head coaching role at the club until the end of the season following Ruben Amorim's sacking.

With just the Premier League left to focus on, Carrick will likely take a look at some of the forgotten Red Devils out on loan from the club. One such name is Sancho, who is currently plying his trade at rivals Aston Villa.

The Villans sit in third place in the league table for now after a stellar first half of the season. However, Sancho has had little impact on this run of form after making just seven starts in 28 games for Villa.

The winger is yet to register a goal contribution for his current club and was sidelined due to illness for their 1-0 loss to Everton at the weekend. Previous loan spells at former club Borussia Dortmund and Chelseahelped the 25-year-old regain some form, but he has rarely been seen in a United kit since his public row with ex-boss Erik ten Hag.

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However, the out-of-favour winger may find a way back into Old Trafford through Carrick who was complimentary of Sancho during his first spell in charge in 2021. Following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's exit, the ex-midfielder was handed a caketaker managerial position, recording two wins and a draw from three games.

Sancho scored in Carrick's first game in charge, a Champions League clash away to Villarreal which United won 2-0. The temporary boss was full of praise for the young winger afterward as he said: "To finish it off, Jadon was brilliant.

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"I know how much Jadon loves the ball at his feet and trying to make things happen, it’s where he’s happiest. But on the other side of the game, he put a real effort in defense and it was a big night for him."

Reiterating his importance in the game, Carrick added: "I was so pleased for Jadon. 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."

These comments speak volumes to the potential Carrick saw in Sancho in 2021 and may hint at a possible return to glory for the winger at the club. United could let the 25-year-old leave on a free in the summer when his contract expires.

It is understood that United are angling towards cutting their losses with the winger to avoid paying his salary for another year if he is not wanted.

However, Carrick's influence may play a part in fashioning a return for the forgotten star - or even proving to make him more attractive to potential suitors.