Manchester United fans were left shocked on Monday when the club tweeted about outcast Jadon Sancho.
When United signed Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, it was widely expected that he would become one of the best players in the Premier League.
Things didn't pan out that way though, and two years after his £73 million move, the English youngster was frozen out of Erik ten Hag's squad.
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Sancho fell out with the Dutch manager last September when he was left out of the United squad for a Premier League trip to Arsenal.
Sancho publicly disagreed with Ten Hag's assessment that his performances in training weren't up to par, and was subsequently banished from first-team training.
With his career at Old Trafford lying in tatters, in January the 24-year-old rejoined Dortmund on loan until the end of the current season.
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Back in Germany Sancho has struggled for consistency, scoring one goal and providing two assists in eight Bundesliga outings.
Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Sancho is unlikely to stay at Dortmund beyond the end of the season.
United would rather sell him than loan him out again, but their asking price will be too steep for the German club to match.
Perhaps with a return to Manchester in mind, United are trying to keep things civil, even if Sancho's relationship with Ten Hag is seemingly beyond repair.
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On Monday, United's official X account sent Sancho a happy birthday message, something that surprised a lot of United fans.
"He's not one of us anymore," one fan replied, while another wrote: "Why are you posting him?"
Another disgruntled fan tweeted, "There's no need to wish him happy birthday, we don't like him," while one follower brutally replied to United's tweet with, "Who?"
However, some fans were more sympathetic to Sancho.
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"Leave this boy alone to enjoy his football," one fan pleaded, while another said, "Imagine treating someone so badly and then wishing them happy birthday."
Another Sancho supporter tweeted: "Happy Birthday to the one that writes his destiny himself. Happy Birthday Sancho. Thanks for leaving Ten Hag and his issues."
Topics: Borussia Dortmund, Fan Reactions, Jadon Sancho, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Transfers, Football