Why Manchester United Should Join The Race For Alexis Sanchez

In the end, it seemed that Jose Mourinho’s patience finally wore thin. Having been frustrated in his efforts to secure Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, the Manchester United manager decided to switch focus. Romelu Lukaku was the alternative and it took just a couple days for the Old Trafford club to complete a £75 million deal for the Belgian.

Mourinho has been forced to change his summer plans more than once, with the switch from Morata to Lukaku just another episode of improvisation for United in this transfer window. Originally, they had identified Antoine Griezmann as their number one target, only for Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban to put paid to those plans.

The signing of Lukaku, however, suggests that Mourinho still has a place in his team for a player of Griezmann’s mould - an irrepressible force of nature, willing to track back just as much as get in behind the last defender. Lukaku will be used as a focal point in much the same way Zlatan Ibrahimovic was last season, with United playing off the Belgian.

So if Mourinho still needs a player of this kind after being thwarted in their efforts to lure Griezmann, why isn’t he in for Alexis Sanchez this summer? The Chilean looks set to leave Arsenal this summer, with the year left on his contract meaning any transfer fee is likely to occupy the realms of reasonability.

Pep Guardiola recognises this, making Sanchez his top priority this summer. Having already added Bernardo Silva to his Manchester City squad, the Catalan is intent on adding another piece to his formidable frontline. Signing Sanchez would make them one of the frontrunners for the Premier League title this season, giving City so much firepower that few could find a way to keep them out.
Guardiola needs Sanchez in a different way to Mourinho. Should he join City, the Chilean would be used as something of a False Nine. He would be expected to interchange with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Sergio Aguero (assuming he stays at the Etihad Stadium) and Silva, among others. At United, he would be a supporting striker.

And it’s in that supporting striker role that Sanchez is at his best. That’s where he has performed at his optimum for Arsenal and it’s where he has the most influence on the game. The Chilean is undoubtedly adequate as a leading striker, but in that position his creativity is hindered. He’s not the same creator in-chief.

Yet there is no sign that Mourinho will usurp Guardiola in the race for the Arsenal striker. Of course, it’s possible that United could still change tact and make a move for Sanchez. There is precedent for it, after all. Five years ago, Robin Van Persie was expected to sign for Manchester City, with the striker running down his Arsenal contract. Yet it was United who beat their rivals to the signing of the Dutchman, recognising the value in capturing him late in the window.

Van Persie would go on to lead Man Utd to the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at the club, proving to be the biggest difference between the Old Trafford and City. Sanchez could be a similarly divisive wedge between the two teams. City and United are expected to challenge closer to the top of the table this season, and signing Sanchez would give one an advantage over the other.

Mourinho is a master at getting one over his rivals, proven by the signing of Lukaku from under the noses of former club Chelsea. But beating Man City to the signing of Sanchez wouldn’t just be a signing for the sake of pettiness. It makes sense in almost every way.