It just got interesting.
And we were thinking this was shaping up to be a slow news day. But alas, it’s all happening. The transfer rumour mill went into overdrive Thursday lunchtime when Manchester United were reported to have made a spectacular attempt at hijacking Alexis Sanchez’s proposed transfer to Manchester City.
You had our curiosity, but now you have our attention. It’s like Robin van Persie all over again. Only this time, it’s difficult to envisage United winning here. The image of Jose Mourinho standing there, smiling at a wonderful triumph in his personal battle with Pep Guardiola, just doesn’t seem to fit. The one of Pep childishly beaming as Sanchez unfurls his City shirt seems a little closer to reality.
But let’s run with it for a second. This is silly season – anything can happen. You can’t rule out the possibility of Sanchez moving to United – or anyone else for that matter – until he is either officially announced as a City or still at Arsenal when the window closes.
Let’s take a step back and consider and assess the latest developments. City want Sanchez and he wants City. He is thought to be desperate to leave Arsenal and relishes the prospect of playing under Guardiola once again (they worked together at Barcelona). Jose Mourinho and United aren’t having that.
It's all going on https://t.co/lvGwuNjMVo #MUFC
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 11, 2018
With a player of Sanchez’s calibre available for around €25million, it would be remiss of Ed Woodward to sit idly by as City – the runaway league leaders – significantly strengthened their squad with one of the most technically gifted, creative players in European football.
Of course, it could all be smoke and mirrors. The sceptical corners of the Twittersphere believe that United’s interest is, in fact, a cunning ploy by Arsenal in an attempt to force City into a higher bid. An even more outlandish theory is that the rumours actually originate from City themselves, having a story go out that United are chasing Sanchez so it looks like he chose City over their rivals when he eventually chooses them. Whatever happens, it’s been an interesting day.
It’s easy to see why both Manchester clubs would want him. The Chilean is an explosive attacking threat, all inventive passing and direct running. He links up wonderfully well with teammates, has an eye for goal and has that preciously quality of being able to quicken the tempo of a game when he’s in possession.
For City, he would be just the latest luxury item in Guardiola’s considerable attacking armoury. Capable of playing out wide, up front or just behind the striker, Sanchez has an immensely appealing skill set. With Gabriel Jesus recovering from an ankle injury, the prospect of Sanchez paired with Aguero up top is a mouthwatering one for City fans.
But the same could be said for United. While dubious onlookers may pontificate that United’s main motivation for trying to hijack the deal is Mourinho’s overriding desire to get one over on Pep, Sanchez would be a legitimate asset at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old has shone for Arsenal recently playing behind Alexandre Lacazette in Arsenal’s 3-4-2-1. In that position, Sanchez is able to roam in between channels and create in the final third. Additionally, he played – and scored – on the left when Arsenal switched to a 4-2-3-1 for the 3-3 draw at Liverpool.
Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal:
Acquisition Price- £35M
Season Apps G A
2014/15 48 24 12
2015/16 37 18 10
2016/17 47 30 15
2017/18 19 8 4
Overall 151 80 41You’re lying to yourself if you think we won’t miss this man. pic.twitter.com/7T5Ro4WXuM
— ⚔️ ☬ (@ThatGuyJSR) January 9, 2018
He could be devastating in a similar role for United. Recently, Mourinho has set United up in a 4-2-3-1, with Romelu Lukaku up front, ahead of a trio which has, at different times, included Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
Lingard has been sensational in recent weeks but Martial and Rashford have been less consistent. With both those players still early enough in their development, it’s understandable that Mourinho covets a more experienced winger. It’s nothing new: Mourinho spent all summer chasing Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic and remains keen on adding quality in wide areas. Sanchez, an electric presence on the flank capable of beating defenders or cut inside and influence the game centrally, represents a very strong candidate to fulfill Mourinho’s requirements.
United fans would be right to point out that his output isn’t considerably better than the players currently at Mourinho’s disposal. Lingard and Martial have as many goals as the South American but Sanchez’s overall Premier League record for Arsenal of contributing a goal or an assist every 119 minutes is difficult to ignore. In addition, Sanchez has not helped his record in front of goal by coming deep to receive the ball in several Arsenal games this season.
Whereas he was a focal point in Arsenal’s attack for the majority of the previous campaign, the arrival of Lacazette has pushed him wider and deeper. Mourinho doesn’t need to have that problem. With Henrikh Mkhitaryan now seen as expendable by the Portuguese coach, Sanchez could occupy a central role behind Lukaku. Sanchez can also play up front so he could feasibly provide stiff competition for Lukaku, who has been denied much of a rest because of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s ongoing injury woes.
Whatever way you look at it, Sanchez would be a hefty statement of intent from United. He would drastically bolster Mourinho’s options in attack and could help them go far in the Champions League. He’s still being heavily backed to join City and you’d be a brave man to bet on him going to United but, then again, stranger things have happened.
