Man United loanees high and lows including Jadon Sancho update and cruciate ligament scare

Manchester United presently only have a limited number of players out on loan, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe opting to run a tighter ship this season.

A number of players who were loaned out last year have been moved on, including the likes of Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez. That has helped free up the wage book in light of Premier League spending rules, making space for United’s five summer recruits.

Chelsea are paying the large majority of loanee Jadon Sancho’s weekly wages although United are still contributing a portion. His loan deal contains an obligation-to-buy clause worth between £20million and £25m, depending how high the Blues finish in the table.

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Sancho is the only senior United player to secure a loan this summer but three other academy products who have, at some point, been included in the first-team matchday squad have also secured temporary spells away from Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho - Chelsea

Sancho is becoming a favourite of Enzo Maresca’s having started the last three Premier League games on the left flank. He has grabbed three assists in four outings so far, having also won the penalty for one of Cole Palmer’s four goals against Brighton last month.

Asked whether his move to Chelsea was a chance to revive his career following his debut, Sancho replied: “Yeah that is it.” He added: “From the first day I came in, they have made me feel welcome and I want to thank them for making me feel this comfortable.”

Joe Hugill - Wigan Athletic

Hugill has started all but one of his nine games for Wigan Athletic and has managed to net three times. However, both of his goals in League One came in the same match, a 4-0 win over Bristol Rovers in September.

His other goal came against Morecambe - rock bottom of the Football League - in the EFL Trophy. Hugill has missed the last three games with a dead leg but is expected to recover in time for the return of club football after the international break.

Rhys Bennett - Fleetwood Town

Bennett’s highlight so far has been scoring a stoppage-time header against Stoke City in the League Cup to send the match to penalties. That was his first goal in senior football.

The centre-back has played seven matches, of which three have been starts. He has recorded one clean sheet in that time although did grab an assist in the 6-2 mauling of current League Two table-toppers Walsall at the start of the month.

Radek Vitek - Blau Weiss Linz

Goalkeeper Vitek has had a promising start to the season, having played four matches and kept two clean sheets for top-tier Austrian outfit Blau Weiss Linz. However, a knee injury has stunted his progress.

It had initially been feared that he had suffered cruciate ligament damage and would be out for a prolonged spell. However, MEN Sport understands that the setback is not as bad as first thought and that Vitek is expected back before the end of October.