Alexis Sanchez transfer: It is poetic that Manchester United are set to beat City to Chilean by offering more cash
Former City boss Roberto Mancini thought he had Robin van Persie in the bag in 2012 - before Dutchman chose United
ALEXIS SANCHEZ'S move to Manchester City was considered a formality until Manchester United got involved in the transfer deal and now Man United are considered favourites to sign him from Arsenal.
It’s Robin van Persie Mk.2.
There’s something beautifully poetic about Man City being forced out of a transfer because of the money involved given their whole club is now built on the influx of oil money since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008, and United have taken full advantage of it.
Regardless of whether we truly need Sanchez, United should be in for him and are.
He’s a ready made, world class player capable of winning games single-handedly and just like we did in 2012 it looks like we’re going to sign Arsenal’s best player.
When those sorts of players are available, you don’t just let them join your rivals and United aren’t.
However, the situation involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan in this transfer for Sanchez has made it far complicated than it needed to be.
Mkhitaryan is being used as a makeweight in the transfer but the consensus is that he doesn’t want to move, at least not for the offer currently on the table.
His agent Mino Raiola is playing his usual games in order to get the best for his client but it leaves United in limbo at the moment.
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Most fans feel the deal will still go through but Mkhitaryan dragging his heels isn’t what we need.
The Armenian midfielder must now realise he isn’t in Mourinho’s plans.
Why would he want to stay at a club he isn’t wanted any more?
Jose gave him a chance and in August he was brilliant but Mkhitaryan repeated the same mistakes of his first year at United - Mourinho doesn’t give anybody two chances.
Selling him is the right option, using him as part of the Sanchez deal is the right option and the quicker Mkhitaryan accepts that the better.
I’ve no doubt Mkhitaryan could still be a great player at United, and would be a top signing for Arsenal, but he won’t ever be a central figure at United while Mourinho is in charge so it’s best to let him leave sooner rather than later.
Worst comes to worst, United will pay more for Sanchez and keep Mkhitaryan until the summer but I don’t know why Henrikh would want that himself when he could play every week at Arsenal.
There are some who might be concerned about Sanchez’s attitude but I’m not at all - he’s a winner at heart, all he wants to do is compete for the trophies which eluded him ever since he joined Arsenal.
He’ll get that at United and he’ll bring even more goals into a team who is free scoring in the Premier League this year.
AL THE DETAILS Man Utd’s move for Alexis Sanchez hinges on Henrikh Mkhitaryan agreeing to go to Arsenal
Add in the fact he’d be eligible for the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds for United and the deal is a no-brainer.
United forcing City out of the deal for Sanchez would be a real statement of intent by Mourinho. Pep Guardiola might be ruling the roost at City but United aren’t going anywhere and will be back stronger next year, hopefully with Sanchez.