Alexis Sanchez not living up to no. 7 shirt
By Wyatt Miner
Since Sanchez arrived at Manchester United, the Chilean struggles to find the net and assist his teammates.
Sanchez’s problems are public for all to see. For example, the number 7 argued with his teammates following Manchester United’s exit from the Champions League. Furthermore, Sanchez has only scored once since his arrival at Manchester United.
Still, this is Sanchez’s first season with United, but he is not producing like analysts expected him to. For instance, in the 2016/17 season, the Chilean forward found the net twenty-four times in the Premier League. This season, in his nineteen appearances with Arsenal, he found the net only seven times.
Statistics point to a sense of unreliability. One season, he scores twenty-four times, and in the season afterwards, Sanchez has a steep drop off in goals scored. Perhaps, Sanchez is trying to find a fit in Mourinho’s complicated system, or Mourinho does not know how to utilize the Chilean. Either way, Sanchez is not performing to his typical standards.
Prior to his arrival at Manchester United, Sanchez destroyed United singlehandedly in a Premier League match in 2015, finding the net twice. However, Manchester United was a much different team back then. Supporters are left wondering if they got the worse end of the deal with Arsenal when Mkhitaryan went to the London club.
Alexis Sanchez plays on the outside for Manchester United. Could his skills be of more help in a different position?
Personally, I feel as if Sanchez’s skills could be best used in an attacking mid role and not as a winger. Yes, his natural position is on the wing, but his drive in the attack could support Lukaku better.
Sanchez is an accurate passer of the ball, as well as a great playmaker. Using Sanchez as an attacking mid, he could drive the ball down the oppositions side of the field. Examining his play on the wing, defenders will struggle to contain Sanchez.
When on defense, Sanchez will have to learn to drop back with his team. He would be responsible for stomping out any early attacks. If he fails to do so, he still has support in Matic and McTominay or Pogba.
With his dribbling, passing, and shooting abilities, Sanchez would create problems for the opposition, and ultimately, creating more goals. Additionally, moving the Chilean inward would give the winger more possibilities to score.
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In the end, Sanchez is expected to produce. Why else would Mourinho exchange for him? As he is not living up to his shirt number, it is still very early in his career with Manchester United. As time goes on, Sanchez will grow into his role and learn what Mourinho expects of him. Until he finds his breakthrough, fans everywhere simply have to wait.