By Sonia RANDEV
Monday saw the announcement of Alexis Sanchez signing for Manchester United in true spectacular fashion as he was unveiled as the new No 7 playing the piano. Clearly a man full of many talents and if football doesn’t work out well then a career in classical musical awaits him.
After much speculation of who the former Arsenal forward would sign to with Manchester City hot on the Chilean’s heels, it was announced that Sanchez had decided to join City’s arch enemies Manchester United.
Speaking to MUTV exclusively on his new club:
“Since a young boy I have always said that it was my dream to play for Manchester United and I’m not just saying that because I’m here now and today it’s come true. I always said as a kid that I’d like to play for United, and I once spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson about it. We chatted for around 20 minutes and I told him that my dream was to come here to Manchester United. It really is a massive club, very powerful and so now when I got the opportunity to come here I looked at the badge and my hairs just stood up on end because it’s a powerful club and the biggest in England.”
The 29 year olds move was dependent on whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan agreed on a swap move which saw the Armenian commit and make a move in the opposite direction to the Emirates.
Jose Mourinho spoke to MUTV on his new No 7:
“Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world and he completes our very talented group of forwards.”
Friday’s match against Yeovil Town in the 4th round of the Emirates FA Cup will see Mourinho hit a milestone.100 games in charge of Manchester United and the manager also celebrates his 55th Birthday.
It has been said that Sanchez could very well make his debut on Friday night. Alexis Sanchez is a versatile player. He often played on both the left and right wing at Arsenal and Barcelona. He can also play as a lone striker and just behind the front man which opens more doors for how United want to play out their attacking options.
With images surfacing across social media last weekend of Sanchez emblazoned across the back of the No 7 Manchester United shirts, it was only a matter of time that a public statement would be made.
Over 7 million views on the official unveiling of the player signing; this is great in terms of commercial opportunities for the club with shirts selling fast off the shelves already.
One particular player that will benefit hugely from the signing of Sanchez is Romelu Lukaku who has featured in 94% of united games this season.
Mourinho has spoken of his desire to rest Romelu with his form at times suffering due to fatigue. With Sanchez this makes it more possible.
“He will bring his ambition, drive and personality – qualities that make a Manchester United player and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club dimension and prestige. Alexis is a player that becomes more than a player because of his multi-functionality. I say he can play in four different positions in attack.”
From today’s press conference at 1.30pm, Jose Mourinho confirmed that Alexis Sanchez will be part of the squad travelling to Yeovil for Friday night’s Emirates cup clash.
Catch Yeovil Town v Manchester United live on BBC One from 19.55pm
Photo Credit: Manchester United and MUTV
