Explained: Why Jadon Sancho won't be available for Chelsea's trip to Man Utd in Premier League showdown on Sunday as winger denied Old Trafford reunion

Sancho made the loan move to Chelsea on the deadline day of the summer transfer window from Manchester United having been outcast from the senior team by former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag after a public spat last season. He has been in fine form for Enzo Maresca's side so far, but the Italian will not have Sancho at his disposal for the Blues' crucial clash against Ruud van Nistelrooy's United.

Sancho is currently on loan at Chelsea from United and as per the guidelines of the Football Association, loan players cannot face their parent club in the Premier League. The rule was introduced in 2004 after Lomana LuaLua, on loan from Newcastle, scored a late equaliser for Portsmouth against the Magpies.

However, the FA's rules would allow Sancho to play for Chelsea against United if the two rivals met each other in any domestic cup competition. As such, if the two sides were to face off against each other in the FA Cup later in the season, Maresca would be allowed to play the winger against his parent club.

Over the last few weeks, Sancho has fallen back down the Stamford Bridge pecking order. Maresca has claimed this is due to 'tactical reasons', and so the winger should be back in contention next week.