In Sanchez’s first 10 games, he did not look like the man purchased from Arsenal. However, Sanchez came up big in the most recent Manchester Derby.
The first half of the Manchester Derby was one that Manchester United supporters would be quick to forget. After halftime, United took the pitch unknowing of what comeback was about to ensue.
Manchester United’s comeback could not have been possible if it were not for Sanchez. Furthermore, the Chilean played a crucial role in all three of Manchester United’s comeback goals. In addition to his assists, the 29 year old used his dribbling skills to either draw fouls or get in favorable positions. When watching the second half of the derby, in almost all aspects of the second half, Sanchez played a role.
How did Sanchez help Manchester United make the comeback? Through assisting goals.
In Manchester United’s first goal, Sanchez sent a pass across the box to find Herrera. Then, Herrera used his chest to put the ball in front of Pogba in behind the defense. For Pogba, the goal itself was just a tap in. Sanchez gave his team a chance to score with an accurate cross. Even though he did not directly assist in the goal, his cross gave his team a chance to score.
For United’s second goal, Sanchez pulled out all the stops. Pogba made a darting run in behind Manchester City’s defense, and Sanchez chipped the ball over the back line as Pogba headed the ball just out of Ederson’s reach. When evaluating the build up of play, the pass itself took just as much skill as the header did.
In United’s third goal, Sanchez’s dribbling skills won the Red Devils a prime position for an attack on goal. Sanchez’s free kick sat about 30 or so yards out, and a perfectly placed cross fell right on Smalling’s foot in point blank range of the goal.
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Even though Sanchez did not technically assist United’s first goal, the Chilean forward still had a hand in all three goals. According to Manchester United’s Instagram page, Sanchez has scored and assisted on United’s last five goals. While he made a slow start at United, the winger is starting to find his footing at Old Trafford.