How is Jose Mourinho going to utilise Alexis Sanchez?
Sanchez’s much-discussed move to Manchester United was confirmed on Monday, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving to Arsenal as part of the deal, and it makes one wonder where he is going to play in Mourinho’s team.
The Chile international has already revealed his favoured position and it could affect the playing time of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who had been rotated on the left side of United’s attack throughout the opening months of the season.
“I really like to play down the left, through the middle, but to tell you the truth, as long as I’m playing football, I’ll fit in anywhere!” Sanchez told MUTV.
How does it feel to call yourself a Manchester United player? Take it away, @Alexis_Sanchez!
Watch more from our first interview with #MUFC's new no.7: https://t.co/KgKz6QLlGt pic.twitter.com/4GWjxB5gVT
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2018
The Red Devils had been crying out for a natural wide man on the right, with Romelu Lukaku struggling for quality delivery at stages but Sanchez hasn’t spent much time on the right wing in recent years.
Sanchez will be one of the first names on Mourinho’s teamsheet from now on and one man who knows all about the left flank at Old Trafford has claimed that the 29-year-old’s arrival has already forced one of his new teammates to up his game.
Ryan Giggs was asked to give his take on how the competition for places will play out at his former club and the new Wales manager insisted that it can only be a good thing for United.
“Alexis Sanchez is similar to Robin van Persie in the sense that they’re getting a ready-made superstar and you’re seeing the contribution already with Anthony Martial upping his performances,” Giggs told Sky Sports.
“That can happen when top players come in, those around them lift their levels, and there will be some difficult selection decisions for Jose Mourinho.
“However, Sanchez can also play on the right, as he did at Barcelona, so if Martial is flying then he may have to play in a different position, but those sort of decisions are positive for a manager to have to make.
“It is an extra bonus that he can play in the Champions League. To have somebody like that, who won’t be fazed by playing in the big games, makes the squad look really strong.”
