When Alexis Sanchez chose Manchester United over Manchester City, everyone thought it was a brilliant stroke for Manchester United, which turned out to be counterproductive. At this time, the wall fell and everyone began to criticize United's decision to snap up Sanchez, just as they had praised the transfer before.
When Sanchez moved to Manchester United in January 2018, he was still the hottest player in the Premier League. Half a season ago, he scored 30 goals for Arsenal, including 24 in the Premier League. But 18 months later, not only did the Chilean winger fail to perform well on the pitch, but his huge weekly salary became a ticking time bomb for Old Trafford.
Many say that United have only two world-class stars, De Gea and Pogba, but no one should forget that Alexis Sanchez is also a world-class genius. He was once Arsenal's "thigh", superstar, and Manchester city manager Guardiola is also eager to reunite with the old Barca veteran.
It is for this reason that United took him from City at all costs, and United saw Alexis Sanchez as a signature signing – to show the "noisy neighbours" Manchester City and even international football one thing: we can still attract the biggest players.
But City have won the title for both seasons, with Alexis Sanchez scoring just one Premier League goal in the entire season at United. Cardiff City striker Ryan, who scored twice at Old Trafford in the final round of the season, scored more goals at the Theatre of Dreams than he did all season! Sanchez has lost his way and has lost his place in the team. And, perhaps the most damaging aspect of his move is the impact on the rest of the players in the dressing room.
He had only half a year left on his contract with Arsenal at the time, and Manchester United sent Mkhitaryan a direct exchange without paying the cash transfer fee, so Ed Woodward thought he could be given a high salary, but the total figure of 505,000 pounds was too high, and once the media disclosed, the aftershocks did not end to this day.
Sanchez is United's highest-paid player and the other stars want to be on an equal footing with him, or at least close. Goalkeeper David De Gea, striker Marcus Rashford, midfielder Pogba... The situation is similar for the other players, who will ask for the same salary as Sanchez as soon as the negotiations begin. The contract turmoil also seems to have affected De Gea's form, with him making occasional mistakes in the game and no longer being considered the best goalkeeper.
What happened to Sanchez at Manchester United? According to people's analysis, the tactics of the predecessor Mourinho and the presence of Pogba are considered to be the reasons for the decline of Manchester United No. 7. But the root cause of Sanchez's real slippery slope was himself, and especially his physical decline.
Sanchez, 30, is known for his amazing work efficiency, brilliant goals and never-say-die spirit at Arsenal, Barca or Udinese. He is the epitome of the South American striker style, and everyone sees him play with blood boiling.
As for being a man, Sanchez has always been isolated, and many of his teammates at Arsenal have warned that he is a difficult king to manage. But that doesn't stop Sanchez from playing well, as he can go it alone, breaking the ball, dribbling the ball, scoring a dragon, or assisting teammates.
You could say he lost momentum after Chile failed to qualify for last summer's 2018 World Cup in Russia, or that he was complaced and lost his direction after winning the last big contract of his career.
But even the Manchester United fans who denounce Alexis Sanchez need recognition, even if he performs badly, but the fighting spirit is really still there. However, Sanchez's overwhelmed body could not keep up with his consciousness.
Data from the German transfer market show that in the year and a half after joining Manchester United, Sanchez suffered at least three injuries with more than half a month of suspension. And these injuries are muscle or knee injuries. At the end of November last year, Sanchez suffered a hamstring strain and was suspended for a month, missing eight games. Just came back at the beginning of this year, immediately strained his thigh again, and returned to the treatment room for half a month. At the beginning of March, Sanchez injured his knee, was absent for 41 days and missed 7 games... Sanchez's physical problems could not be more obvious.
At his peak in 2016/17, Sanchez did not miss the game due to any injuries.
As a stout player, Sanchez used to rely on speed and confrontation, but the decline in muscle, ligaments and knees has caused him to suffer the same problems as to attackors such as Torres and Rooney who rely on speed and body to kick.
There have been many examples of successful transformations in international football, such as Ronaldo grabbing more points in front of goal, and Henry and Giggs playing their own experience. But Sanchez still plays in the style of the past, so he keeps hitting the wall, and he hasn't learned to look back.
Many believe that a new start to Manchester United can revive Sanchez, but instead he lives in the shadow of his past. The high income, as well as the characteristics of Manchester United's new generation of players, have made Sanchez's weaknesses even more exposed.
Sandwiched between an overwhelmed body, a shelled money income, and an incompetent teammate, Sanchez struggled to turn over.
Today, Sanchez is compared to Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, with a high salary and nothing.
Actress Lena Heidi, who plays Queen Cersei, was revealed to earn £770,000 per episode, and fans joked on Twitter that Heidi only needed to "stand in front of the window and drink a glass of wine" to get a huge salary, just as Sanchez was mocked as a 75,000-time bonus for Manchester United only touching the ball once after playing. Journalist Ronan Murphy directly derided Heidi as "Sanchez on TV".
Sanchez's high salary at Manchester United has put him under pressure and has not been able to get into the relaxed environment of integration into the team. And the inability of his teammates to expose his shortcomings.
In United's squad, there aren't too many teammates who are actively running to meet or tearing up the opponent's defence, which makes It easier for Sanchez, who is accustomed to fighting alone and only passing threatening balls.
But Manchester United originally introduced Sanchez in the hope that his personal ability can become an offensive flashpoint and make up for some of the problems existing in the team. Unexpectedly, the new 7 did not solve the original problem, but brought greater problems.
Manchester United star Evra believes Sanchez made the wrong choice and could be in a better position if he joined Manchester City. Evra even hinted that Sanchez chose the Red Devils for money.
"Some players come for money, and I'm not afraid to say that. I'm not targeting him, but Sanchez, when I look at the deal, I think United's history is going downhill." Efla said: "He can choose Manchester City, they give a lower offer, but he will play better football than Manchester United, I regret that, but Manchester City does play better. Guardiola will also promote him. So I wonder what was the real reason he chose Manchester United? Don't tell me it's because he liked Manchester United as a kid. Either it's because of the money, or he wants to be number one and wear the number 7 shirt to be a star."
Sanchez's injury in United's 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Is one example. Sanchez hurriedly passed the ball out in an unattended environment around him, and was counter-attacked by the broken ball, he actively grabbed it, resulting in an ankle injury, and the season was reimbursed.
Sanchez was one of the players who publicly apologised to United fans at the end of United's miserable season, citing his poor form as a result of a series of injuries.
Sanchez wrote in Spanish and English: "It's been a very tough season... We deserve to apologize to the fans because no matter what happens, they always support you. Personally, I didn't show the level I expected because I suffered an unforeseen injury. What the media and people are rumoring, it's not real. I'm professional in every way, but I want to apologize to the fans for not achieving our goals. However, we are Manchester United! The players and coaches are questioning whether we did the right thing, whether we gave our best for this shirt... I'm sure Manchester United will one day re-emerge as the club mr. Ferguson used to lead."
The Instagram post received more than 610,000 likes, including some Manchester United team-mates, but mainly young Manchester United players such as Puigmar, rather than first-team team-mates. In contrast, Pogba's casual Ins speech can easily break through one million or even two million likes!
However, Sanchez is 30 years old and his physical condition is unlikely to return to his peak form, and if he can't change his mind and change his playing style, such as more in front of the goal to grab points, then it will be difficult for the Chilean superstar to have a chance to turn over.
United can't wait to send Alexis Sanchez away, just as they desperately wanted him. But if they want to send away the Chilean winger, Manchester United may have to post 12 million pounds.
Sanchez's agent Felicević is promoting Sanchez in Italy and other leagues, and has met with the top brass of Inter Milan, Juventus and other giants. Sanchez has another 3 years left on a 4.5-year contract with Manchester United, inter are most interested, but they want to go on loan for a year, a year in which United will have to pay half of their salary, or 250,000 weekly salaries.
United are afraid to hope that Alexis Sanchez will be able to play well during this summer's Copa America and rental period, which will help get rid of him completely.
Leaving Manchester United may not be a bad thing for Sanchez, who has been reborn after leaving the team, such as Memphis Depay, Di Maria and Daly Blind.