Former Arsenal manager turned pundit, Arsene Wenger has shared his school of thought on seamlessly disappointing run of Alexis Sanchez. The former Arsenal manager shared his views on beIN Sport after the game between PSG and Manchester United.
Alexis Sanchez, who signed for Manchester United from Arsenal in January 2018 in a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan, has been way below his standards, by and large. Struggling to make an impact in the starting eleven, Alexis has found himself warming the bench, since indispensable Martial’s rich vein of form.
The Chilean striker and captain was not included in United’s starting line-up of Champions League game against PSG although had to come in early to replace Lingard, who was found limping off the ground. Sanchez was as much as a hindrance than a help in his forty-five minutes against PSG. He did not make any attempt on the goal or created a chance.
Owing to his dismal performance, Sanchez was criticised by the same person who brought him to the Premier League, Arsene Wenger. Despite of big sum £400,000/week star earns at The Old Trafford, Arsene feels Anthony Martial is becoming more important to United’s future.
Wenger said: “He has lost his place and plays in the same position as Martial.
“Today who would dispute that Martial is indispensable for Man United?
“He plays and that’s competition and that’s fair competition in my opinion.”
Sanchez has fount the net only on five occasions in 37 appearances since he joined the Reds 13 months ago. This season, he has netted only twice in 19 appearances.
Reflecting on his Tuesday night display, former Manchester United defender Phil Neville said: “Sanchez’s form has dipped so much that at the moment you look at subs to come on and make an impact, he’s not the one. There was a 20-minute period in the second half when United didn’t touch the ball. Alexis Sanchez definitely didn’t.
“He’s not the Alexis Sanchez we fell in love with at Arsenal. He needs a 10 or 15-game run in the team without being brought off to build his form. I don’t think he’s gone, I think he might have to re-adapt his game. I think it’s confidence. He needs some love and he’s the one Ole has to work on.
“If Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard are maybe out, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to get Sanchez back in to form.”
Manchester United’s temporary boss Solskjaer himself was in no mood to pull his punches with the Chilean, saying: “I can’t do anything about Alexis Sanchez. When he plays he needs to find himself because we know there’s a quality player there.”
If Alexis Sanchez continues to play the same way, it won’t be long that the left-wing is permanently Martial’s.
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