Inside Man United's 'freedom' squad: Scott McTominay is loving life in Italy, Antony has hit the ground running in Spain, and Anthony Martial can't stop scoring!

It only took one word from Jadon Sancho to ignite the touchpaper: 'Freedom'. That was the term he used to describe Marcus Rashford's new state at Aston Villa, having escaped the proverbial dungeon of Manchester United on loan. Sancho, himself loaned out at Chelsea, was duly slammed by the mob of internet-marauding United fans. 'Y'all should form Lazy Bros FC,' came one of the wittier ripostes. In other words: how dare you insult Manchester United Football Club?.

But Sancho's comment raised an interesting question: what are we missing out on? Is it true that United's players are shackled? Are there alternate versions of Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee that have been crushed under the sheer tonnage of a stumbling football giant?. Cast your eyes abroad and some of United's former stars are playing their best football. Scott McTominay is closing in on a league title in Italy, while Donny van de Beek claims a 'sacred fire' has awoken within him in Spain.

With that in mind, Mail Sport explores 10 stars who have left United behind, how they're getting on, and what it all means for Rashford. Jadon Sancho suggested that Marcus Rashford's loan to Aston Villa is 'freedom'. Is he right?. Rashford was frozen out by Ruben Amorim but Unai Emery looks willing to give him a shot. Fans were unhappy with Sancho's comment but there may be an element of truth to it. McTominay could hardly have asked for his move to Napoli to go better.

They sit top of Serie A under Antonio Conte and he has started every league game besides the first of the season, being widely praised for his performances. After becoming the most expensive Scot ever in a £26million summer move, he has been showing United what they're missing out on, scoring seven goals in all competitions. His girlfriend Cam Reading has moved to Italy with him and the pair have been soaking up the sun and enjoying the nation's tourist attractions.

The pair enjoyed drinks near the Duomi di Milano while Cam has visited the rooftops of Florence and the gleaming Amalfi Coast village of Positano. In January, McTominay even showed off his linguistic prowess as he wished Cam a happy birthday... in Italian!. 'Buon compleanno Tutto il mio amore nel mondo,' he wrote. Happy birthday All my love in the world. Scott McTominay and his girlfriend Cam Reading are enjoying a new life together in Italy.

The midfielder already has seven goals to his name at Napoli and is involved in a title charge. McTominay wished Reading a happy birthday in Italian in his recent Instagram post. The pair have been soaking up the sights around Italy, including at the Duomi di Milano. Many people were surprised when Martial agreed to join Greek side AEK Athens at the age of 28 after leaving Manchester United in May. On this platform, Graeme Souness wrote about how Martial 'had everything to be a top player' but had not fulfilled his potential in nine seasons at Old Trafford.

Now he is in a race for the Greek league title, with AEK sat just two points behind Olympiacos. And after a slow start in front of goal, the Frenchman has found his scoring boots, with nine goals to his name in 19 appearances. That's almost as many as the 12 he mustered in his final three seasons on English turf. Over the weekend, he hit two in a 5-0 rout of Panserraikos. It appears he is winning over his new fanbase. After he hit an 87th-minute winner against OFI Crete in December, fans chanted as he walked through the airport and he briefly danced with one fan.

A better appreciation than he had in the north west of England. Anthony Martial has found his scoring boots at AEK Athens and has been embraced by fans. The Frenchman turned 29 in Greece after spending nine seasons at Old Trafford. One of us🟡⚫️ @AnthonyMartial pic.twitter.com/JL9XGVqGnq. Van de Beek is one of the many mysteries of talent fallen by the wayside at Old Trafford in the past decade and counting.

He arrived from Ajax aged 23 but left having left little impression by 27, unable to gain regular minutes under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Erik ten Hag, his former manager at Ajax. A loan at Eintracht Frankfurt didn't help. Now the midfielder has rediscovered himelf at Girona, in LaLiga, where he has bene enjoying Champions League football. After starting the season on the bench, he has broke into Michel's starting line-up and become an important part of their push for European qualification.

Girona is a picturesque city with a canal and colourful houses in Catalonia and De Beek is living with his girlfriend Estelle Bergkamp - daughter of Arsenal legend Dennis - and their two kids. 'I enjoy it (football) again,' he recently told Voetbal International. 'The fun, enjoying the game. That is so important and I have missed that feeling for so long. I finally feel like a footballer again. 'I think I've made more minutes this season than added up in the past four years. That says enough. The good feeling is back, I feel confidence again and the sacred fire in me has been fuelled. Finally.'.