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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Speaking to BBC Sport, Alexis Sanchez has opened up on his time at Manchester United following his loan move to Inter.
What did he say?
The Chile international arrived from Premier League rivals Arsenal in the 2018 January transfer window, but failed to produce anywhere near the kind of form that he showed at the Emirates.
After scoring just five goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, Sanchez was given the green-light to complete a season-long loan move to Serie A giants Inter.
Now, the 30-year-old has insisted he does not regret joining United, but admitted he was left confused as to why he didn’t feature more during his time at the club.
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He said: “I’m very happy I went to Manchester United. I’ve always said that. It’s the club that’s won the most in England. When I went to Arsenal it was fantastic – I was happy there – but United were growing at the time, they were buying players to win something. I wanted to join them and win everything. I don’t regret going there.
“I think that I’m happy when I play for my national team. I was happy at Manchester United too, but I’ve always said to my friends: I want to play. If they would let me play I’ll do my best. Sometimes I’d play 60 minutes then I wouldn’t play the next game – and I didn’t know why.”
Take some responsibility
Whilst there were mitigating factors, like injuries, that played a part in Sanchez’s remarkable decline at Old Trafford, the Chilean must also take part of the blame for his failure at United.
The forward didn’t have the excuse of adapting to a new country or a new league like some others. He was the star of the show at Arsenal, proved himself in the Premier League, and was nominated for the PFA’s Players’ Players of the Year award in 2017. Hardly the kind of player who needed time to adjust to a move to a fellow top-four rival.
His surprise at playing 60 minutes and then not playing the next game is odd. His goal record for the club simply speaks for itself, and both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho felt the team were better off without him. Perhaps it’s time for Sanchez to own up to his part in his failed move to United.
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