It’s been over a decade since Jose Mourinho was made aware of Alexis Sanchez’s talents.
Mourinho finally added Sanchez to his ranks on Monday, when the Chile international was officially announced as a Manchester United player.
Having seen off competition from Manchester City and Chelsea earlier this month, the Red Devils made Sanchez their best-paid player and one of Mourinho’s most trusted scouts has revealed just how long he’s been on the United manager’s radar.
🎹 Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Introducing #Alexis7…#GGMU #MUFC @Alexis_Sanchez pic.twitter.com/t9RIIx4mE4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2018
Jorge Alvial, who has worked under Mourinho at both Chelsea and United, has revealed that he first brought Sanchez to Mourinho’s attention 12 years ago before, in 2013, a deal was almost agreed when Mourinho was at the helm at Stamford Bridge.
“I recommended him since I arrived at Chelsea in 2006,” Alvial told La Tercera, as translated by ESPN. “At the start he was very young, although obviously I saw him as one for the future.
“In 2013 during Jose’s second spell at Chelsea, there was a lot of interest. It was between Chelsea and Barcelona, but he chose the Catalans for understandable reasons.
“[Mourinho] always liked him. What he admires the most about him is his leadership on the pitch, furthermore he is a player who can change a game in any moment owing to the great talent that he has.”
Sanchez’s primary position for Mourinho remains to be seen, with the 29-year-old admitting that he prefers to play on the left side of attack or through the middle.
If he is employed on the left side of United’s attacking unit, Sanchez will find himself in a three-way competition for the position which Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been battling it out for all season.
While club legend Ryan Giggs has claimed that Martial has already upped his game in a bid to prove himself worthy of a starting place, it’s been suggested that centre-forward Romelu Lukaku will also benefit from Sanchez’s arrival.
“This important investment was made because Alexis is a world-class player,” Alvial told CDF News. “I’m not exaggerating, he is one of the best five players in the world. His performances in Arsenal left that clear. His work is very impressive.
7️⃣ reasons why our new no.7️⃣ can propel #MUFC to another level…
➡️ https://t.co/zkfyJMxfLR pic.twitter.com/DJ0hIqhIry
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 23, 2018
“Alexis is a player that can help in any position. He is dangerous in all positions. He will be a multifunctional player for the attack above all because of the skills and quality he has.
“Mourinho has known him for several years. He had a detailed report on him when we worked at Chelsea.
“He is an exceptional player and he will fit in perfectly. He will complement the striker Romelu Lukaku. I am sure he will do well.”
