Jadon Sancho has opened up on the reasons for his shinpad celebration after scoring in Manchester United‘s win on Thursday.
The Red Devils winger scored the opener as Erik ten Hag‘s side eased past Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 in the Europa League at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau, Moldova, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the second from the penalty spot.
And Sancho revealed the heartwarming background as to why he took off a single shinpad and held it up to the crowd after his goal.
Jadon Sancho has opened up on his shinpad celebration after scoring against Sheriff Tiraspol
The Manchester United star held up a single shinpad after netting in their 2-0 win on Thursday
He said: ‘Yeah, a little kid gave me some shinpads and asked me to wear them. I said “Yeah, no problem” and that was a little gesture from me when I scored, showing him that I was wearing his shinpads that he gave me.’
A video on social media had showed Sancho’s car mobbed by United fans and handed a pair of specially designed shin protectors with his face on them.
Afterwards, the child’s father said he would have to wear them in a match – and Sancho duly did.
Red Devils forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored the other from the penalty spot in Moldova
The 22-year-old added: ‘It was really important we got the win today. Obviously our last home game vs Real Sociedad was an upset and coming into this game we knew we had to get the three points today.’
Despite being fully fit and in good goalscoring form, Sancho missed out on England’s Nations League squad namedon Thursday by manager Gareth Southgate – the final squad named before the winter World Cup in Qatar.
Sancho responded: ‘Obviously it’s disappointing not to get the call-up but again, I have to keep on working hard and hopefully I do get the call-up for the World Cup. I just have to focus on myself and carry on working hard.’