Why Jadon Sancho isn't playing for Chelsea despite Manchester United transfer agreement

Manchester United will take on Chelsea this afternoon (4.30pm) in the Premier League - but will not be going up against a familiar face at Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho left United in the summer to complete a loan deal with an obligation to buy. The deal will be made permanent at the end of the season, with the fee understood to be rising up to £25million.

Sancho only made three appearances for United last season before eventually returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January for the second half of the campaign. Upon returning to Carrington, the 24-year-old did make a brief cameo in the Community Shield against Manchester City before joining Chelsea on deadline day in August.

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Now Sancho is with Chelsea ahead of their clash against his old club at Old Trafford this afternoon. However, the soon-to-be ex-United star will not be able to line up against his old teammates when United collide with Chelsea.

Due to Sancho's deal for the current campaign being a loan move, he is not able to face his parent club in the Premier League. This will be enforced until next season, meaning Sancho will also be unavailable for the return fixture at Stamford Bridge in May, which is scheduled to be United's penultimate game of the campaign.

Since leaving United, Sancho has played five games for Chelsea - in the Premier League - with three assists to his name. His new manager, Enzo Maresca, confirmed that Sancho would not be available to face United and that the forward is currently suffering from illness, too.

"We are looking good," Maresca told reporters pre-match when asked about Chelsea's injury situation.

"The players, they are all available. Except for Jadon [Sancho], he's been ill in the last few days, but he cannot play anyway."