da 888： Alexis Sanchez was supposed to be the man who kicked Manchester United’s attack into another gear but he struggled to adapt somewhat following his January switch to Old Trafford.
da wazamba： The Reds fanbase are yet to see the best of the Chilean but will be hoping that changes next season with a full pre-season behind him to allow United to build on their second-placed finish last time around.
But what is the best way for that to happen? It is not quite as easy as it seems as Jose Mourinho’s United are a spluttering machine, it is not as if Sanchez has been charged with slotting into a side that was operating seamlessly before his arrival.
We’ve taken a look at some ways the former Real Madrid manager might wish to go about it before asking you which is the best…
Solution 1 – United play more attacking football
Look at the teams that finished in the top four of the Premier League this season and Manchester United’s style stands out like a sore thumb.
It doesn’t look like much fun to play in – it certainly isn’t much fun to watch – and for Sanchez, who likes playing the game like he’s still on the playground, that is far from ideal.
Sanchez’s style also sees him give the ball away more often than most, so it is imperative that United are able to come forward in waves to provide the opportunities for him to create enough.
The forward is a workhorse but if he spends more time funnelling back than charging forward, it is hard to see him enjoying a better season next time around.
Solution 2 – Play Marcus Rashford as a striker
Jose Mourinho has preferred to have a towering presence at the sharp end of the pitch at United. First, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was signed before his injury saw United splurge to bring Romelu Lukaku to Old Trafford.
The Belgian thrives on crosses and having the ball to feet, but that does not suit Sanchez’s game. Rashford, 20, lacks the same physical presence but would make sharper runs in behind which create space for Sanchez but also allow him to slide balls into the channels.
Stretching the pitch would help Sanchez, giving him room in which to operate and reducing United’s reliance on slinging in crosses from wide and deep areas, preferring a more dynamic, passing style.
Solution 3 – Switch Sanchez to the right wing
Sanchez was more comfortable cutting in from the left at Arsenal but has operated on the right of a 4-2-2-2 at times for United and has actually looked bright flitting in from the opposite flank.
Sure, it reduces his ability to come inside and blast shots at goal, but United lack a specialist right winger and Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial are just two players already on the books who like chopping in from the left and Sanchez has shown he can better adapt.
He also played as a striker in a 4-4-2 in the second half turnaround at the Etihad Stadium in April, which could be another tactical switch Mourinho looks at as a long-term option,
Solution 4 – Get Sanchez to adapt his game
Sanchez is an elite player but there are flaws in his game that can be ironed out; Mourinho could certainly make him more efficient.
The forward’s tendency to waste a lot of possession has already been mentioned; if the Portuguese could get him to realise that he is no longer at a club where that will be indulged, it could improve him.
Also, the childlike enthusiasm he has for football sometimes drifts into headless chicken territory and a brattish desire to do everything himself; shedding those tendencies would also benefit the team.
Approaching the twilight of his career, it feels as if Sanchez may need to tailor his game to remain in the top bracket of Premier League talent.
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