'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The transfer saga surrounding Alexis Sanchez is seemingly nearing its end. Sanchez was left out of Arsenal's squad for the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday. According to Arsene Wenger, the Chilean is expected to leave the Gunners in the next 48 hours, as per reports from Sky Sports.
Sanchez was expected to join Manchester City, but after a dramatic turn of events, United leapfrogged the Citizens as the front-runners to sign him. According to various reports, the Skyblues have pulled the plug on their pursuit of Sanchez, because of the demands of Alexis' agent, Fernando Felicevich and United's willingness to meet Arsenal's demands.
United are reportedly ready to outbid their arch-rivals, and if the Red Devils do manage to sign him, it will be the steal of the January transfer window.
On that note, let's take a look at 5 reasons why Alexis Sanchez can restore Manchester United to the status of champions again:
#5 Sanchez is the missing world class piece in Mourinho's puzzle
Manchester United have one of the best defences in the Premier League, a world-class central midfielder, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and a proven Premier League striker. But, what they lack is a world-class attacking midfielder and winger.
Alexis Sanchez, meanwhile, is one of the most versatile midfielders in the Premier League. When Wenger plays a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Chilean plays on the left wing, allowing Mesut Ozil to play in the role of a no.10. When the Arsenal manager plays a 3-4-2-1 formation, Sanchez can play alongside Ozil in the middle of the midfield. Also, he can play in the role of a false 9.
He is, by far, one of the best in the Premier League and excels in every midfield role. United are in dire need of a midfield enforcer and Alexis will fit the bill perfectly. Apparently, Mkhitaryan is no more a part of Mourinho's plans, and Alexis Sanchez will fit right into that role.
#4 Ability to score plenty of goals
The Chilean is a proven goal scorer and will offer a lot of goals for Manchester United. He has proved his goalscoring prowess in two of the best leagues across Europe.
His resume is full of goals and though he is a midfielder, Sachez possesses the instincts of a lethal finisher. In the early stages of his career with Udinese, Sanchez had scored 20 goals in 95 Seria A appearances. Over the years, his career graph has shown a steady improvement in terms of goals.
He played for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Barcelona, and scored 39 goals in 88 La Liga appearances. He got even better at the Emirates. In 122 Premier League games, Sanchez found the back of the net on 60 occasions.
Considering the position he plays in, his goals-per-game ratio is very impressive. He is undeniably lethal in the final third of the pitch, and Manchester United are in dire need of a player of his calibre.
#3 Creativity
The Chilean can offer a lot more than goals. With his pace, technical ability, strength, dribbling skills and close control, he can create a lot of goal scoring opportunities for Lukaku and Co.
The Chilean provided 9 assists in his 2 seasons with Udinese. In three La Liga seasons with Barcelona, Sachez provided 27 assists, and for Arsenal, he has amassed a total of 25 assists so far.
His pace is an obvious strength, along with his trickery and ability to beat defenders. Jose Mourinho clearly lacks a creative player and Sanchez is one of the best at it. He will invariably increase the pace of the Manchester United attack and provide the cutting edge that United have been missing for quite some time.
Romelu Lukaku will definitely relish the opportunity to play alongside the Chilean and it will give him the opportunity to add a few more goals to his tally. With the catastrophic decline of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the inconsistent form of Juan Mata, United desperately need a creator in the midfield.
#2 Desire and hunger to prove
Qualities that differentiate a winner and a loser are not just goals or trophies, but, the hunger, passion, and desire to keep going at it again and again, relentlessly.
He played under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola for three years and the Spaniard has taught him some of the greatest virtues of the game. The Chilean will run tirelessly all day, with or without the ball, and will look to win every game he gets into.
Wenger valued it and brought him to Arsenal, where he turned into him into a world-class midfielder. Arsenal already offered him a £300,000-a-week deal to stay at the Emirates, but, the Chilean wants a lot more than money - silverware.
#1 Brings experience and a winning mentality to the young United attack
Manchester United's midfield is one of the youngest in the Premier League. Though Marcus Rashford, Antony Martial, and Jesse Lingard are playing well this season, they are early in their 20s and their consistency is an issue.
Alexis Sanchez is exactly the kind of midfielder who can add experience to this young United attack. More than the goals and assists, Sanchez will bring a winning mentality to this United team.
He has won the La Liga trophy, the Copa del Rey trophy, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup with Barcelona, and, the FA Cup and the Community Shield with Arsenal.
He has also led Chile to two Copa America titles (2015, 2016) and the finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.
Clearly, he has the experience of playing on Europe's biggest stage and will definitely add valuable experience to the young Manchester United attack.
