'What a player!' - Jadon Sancho sends message to Man Utd target after Europa League goal

Manchester United star Jadon Sancho has hailed Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham amid interest from the Old Trafford club.

Bellingham’s reputation as one of the best young midfielders in the game has grown this season with the England international on United’s radar.

Recent reports have suggested Bellingham is the first name on United’s midfield shopping list ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 18-year-old was on the score sheet again on Thursday night but was unable to prevent his side crashing out of the Europa League at the first hurdle following a 6-4 aggregate defeat to Rangers.

Sancho was quick to praise his former teammate’s performance however, writing on Twitter: ‘Jude Bellingham, what a player.’

The two also exchanged tweets over the weekend after Bellingham made his 50th Bundesliga appearance.

Sancho, who has found form after a slow start to life at United, wrote: ‘My brother, keep destroying it over there. I’m proud of you brother.

In response, Bellingham replied: ‘Big love always brother, keep proving everyone wrong.’

Sancho’s own improvement, having registered his first league assists of the season against Leeds United on Sunday, earned him praise from United legend Roy Keane.

‘He’s grown in confidence and is getting the United way. He’s getting braver and showing a bit more courage,’ Keane told Sky Sports.

‘We talk about what he’d done at Dortmund, playing for Dortmund and Man United is completely different. Dortmund are nowhere near as big as Man United.

‘It’s those little details that come from confidence and getting that swagger and it’s nice to see because he was getting heavily criticised.’

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