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Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United in the winter transfer window of 2018, with the Red Devils allowing Henrikh Mkhitaryan to go in the opposite direction.
But, the decision that surprised most people was that Sanchez decided to snub Pep Guardiola's mighty Manchester City in order to move to Old Trafford. The former Arsenal forward had previously played under Pep, and everyone expected him to move to the Etihad.
To everyone's surprise, Sanchez moved to United, where he was offered the chance to be the highest paid player in the Premier League. So far in his United career, he has just scored 5 goals and provided 9 assists. It is clear from his performances that he has done nothing to prove that he deserves to earn such high wages.
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Also, he is 30 years old and the Red Devils would want to get rid of him and if reports are believed to be true, then he could leave Manchester United next season. The Red Devils have lost patience with him and want to raise funds to overhaul their squad in the summer.
Thus, here are five players they could target to replace Alexis Sanchez:
#5 Nabil Fekir (Lyon)
The World Cup winner is the captain of a young Lyon team and he has been their talisman as well. He is a Lyon academy graduate and has scored 12 goals and provided 7 assists this season.
Fekir is a player capable of playing on the wing or even as a No.10. The Frenchman has a deadly left foot and his low center of gravity helps him to go past opponents with ease. Fekir's dead-ball ability is brilliant as well.
Compared to Alexis, Fekir is only 25 years old and offers to be a good long term option with plenty of experience as well. He is also more versatile than Alexis and with Martial and Rashford on the left wing, the Red Devils could further make their attack more potent with Fekir on the right rather than Sanchez.
The Lyon president has already admitted that Fekir might leave Lyon in the near future. If Manchester United decide to sign him, they are likely to face competitions from the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Also see : Fantasy Premier League , Fantasy Premier League Tips, EPL Transfer News
#4 Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Wilfried Zaha is probably one of the most underrated players in the Premier League right now. The 26-year-old has helped Crystal Palace survive relegation in the last few seasons and he has been their talisman as well.
The Ivorian is one of the best dribblers in world football and his trickery and skills have often caused havoc to opposition defenders. He did spend some time at Old Trafford but things did not go well for him but this time it should be different.
He may be an unpopular choice but Zaha is clearly a better dribbler than Sanchez and at the age of 26, he is about to reach his peak form as well. The Crystal Palace winger will also be an easier target to persuade and financially as well, he should be a good option.
Zaha has been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund to replace Christian Pulisic so United will face competition in their efforts to land the mercurial winger.
#3 Douglas Costa (Juventus)
Douglas Costa is one of the fastest players in world football and the Brazilian winger also has a whole host of skills and trickery in his locker as well. The former Bayern Munich winger currently plays for Serie A leaders Juventus.
He is known for his dribbling and crossing ability and possesses a lethal left foot. The winger can play as an attacking midfielder or on either of the wings. Juventus have often relied upon him to change the game when he comes off the bench.
At Bayern and Juventus he has not been entrusted with an integral role and at Old Trafford, he may be able to reignite his career. Compared to Alexis he can give United's attack a new dimension and Juventus are ready to sacrifice him to get another target.
This season he has only managed to make 17 appearances for the Old Lady and his game time has been further reduced due to the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. Manchester United have been linked with a move for the former Shakhtar midfielder and could return for him in the summer.
#2 Jadon Sancho (Dortmund)
The Borussia Dortmund winger has taken the Bundesliga by storm in his debut season. In his first professional season, he has scored 9 goals and further provided 15 assists. Also, he is just 18 years old and by the end of this season, he could win the Bundesliga as well.
Sancho is one of the best dribblers in world football, he is very good in one on one situations and likes to play direct football. He is capable of playing on both sides of the wing and is equally effective in both positions.
Sancho is only 18 while Sanchez is now 30. Like Sanchez, Sancho will also be expensive, but it seems like he will be a player who will be worth it. Also, he is a player who will complement other players like Rashford and Martial and United can build their team around him. To put the icing on the cake he is a former Manchester City player as well.
If reports are to be believed, then the Red Devils are considering to make a move for him in the summer but will face stiff competition from PSG.
#1 Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
The Real Madrid winger has won it all there is to win at club level. Since his move to the Bernabeu in 2013, he has won 4 Champions League crowns, 1 La Liga and 1 Copa del Rey. But still, he is not given the credit that he deserves.
This season he was expected to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo, but it seems like it is a void too big for him to fill. The former Spurs star does not enjoy a good relationship with the Bernabeu crowd as well.
There is no doubt that Bale is one of the best players in the world and if Manchester United want a player who is already at his peak then it is Bale. The Wales international has more pace than Sanchez and he is also more of a goalscorer than him. Bale is also a big game player and at the age of 29, he has plenty of experience at the top level.
With the arrival of Zidane, it seems like Bale will finally leave Real Madrid in the summer. The Red Devils will make an attempt to sign Bale next season as he and Zinedine Zidane do not enjoy a very good relationship.
