Alexis Sanchez is set to leave Arsenal in the coming days. But unlike many believed during the past few weeks, it seems he won’t arrive to Manchester City. Instead, all signs point to Manchester United signing the Chilean star.
The Red Devils sneaked into the race to acquire Alexis during the past week, and the deal is reportedly close to be completed. Manchester United first offered £20M + Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and took advantage of the fact that City seemingly dropped out of the race. United agreed to personal terms with both the player and the agent, and Sanchez was not part of Arsenal’s loss to Bournemouth this Sunday. Even Arsene Wenger said a decision on the Chile winger will be made “in the next 48 hours”.
As such, it is worth start thinking what could the former Barcelona star add to Manchester United.
How would Alexis fit at Manchester United?
First of all, we know Alexis is a proven forward at the Premier League level. He can play anywhere on the attacking third, although he fits better on the wing. We have seen him playing on the right wing for Chile and on the opposing flank for Arsenal. He has also played as a centre forward for The Gunners, but that is not likely to happen at United. The presence of names such as Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic would likely confine him to a wing role.
He could play either on the right or the left, but considering Juan Mata’s form it is likely that we will see him on the left, on the same role he has been fulfilling an Arsenal. Sanchez would represent a considerable upgrade over both Rashford and Anthony Martial. He can score, create, assist, and would undoubtedly improve the team’s quality in the final third.
The stats back him up
Sanchez has not been at his best this season, although Arsenal have been quite mediocre at least. One theory is that Alexis is reportedly thinking more about a transfer than his current term, and that could be true since it already happened to him during the World Cup Qualifiers with Chile in September last year. This hasn’t been his best season, as he only has eight goals in 22 matches across all competitions. But it would be wrong to assume he is trending downwards. If anything, he is about to reach his prime, giving Manchester United another star player on the attacking third.
This is Alexis’ fourth year in England, and he has been impressive during his tenure with the Gunners. His best season came during the 2016-17 campaign, where he scored 30 goals in 51 matches overall. Sanchez has scored 80 goals with 46 assists in 166 matches with The Gunners throughout his career. 60 of those goals have come at the Premier League, and has won five titles with the club.
Final thoughts
The transfer has not been completed yet. But there would have to happen some sort of miracle to avoid seeing Alexis in a United uniform during the coming days, and United supporters should be ecstatic about this move. The Red Devils would be getting an in-prime, productive player who should be entering the best stretch of his career. He already thrived at Arsenal and since United have a better supporting cast upfront, we could be in line to see Alexis’ best moments in England.
He would be a massive signing for United. And honestly, he would be the player Mourinho has been trying to sign during the past 12 months. Someone who can lift the team with his sole presence, and someone who is a household name in the entire world. He would be an excellent addition both on and off the pitch for the club.
As we said, the deal is not completed yet. But as things stand right now, Sanchez will be using United’s red shirt sooner than later.
