Manchester United's breathtaking deal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal is just round the corner
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez is set to sign for Manchester United
manchester United's breathtaking deal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal is just round the corner. The Chilean striker, 29, whose contract at the Emirates expires on June 30 this year, will reportedly be paid £180 million for a four-and-a-half-year contract. Former Red Devils forward Louis Saha believes goals will be freely flowing once Sanchez enters Old Trafford and his presence too can create healthy competition in the camp.
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"He's really hard to mark, will definitely score goals, create chances for the other forwards and for himself. This is the player to buy. Whether he comes or not, it's more about the team. Some addition is always good, but it's always difficult to implement during the season because they will really have to adapt quickly. It could boost some players. It could bring some competition inside the camp and when you're in for many trophies, it can always help," Saha told mid-day yesterday.
Manchester United great Louis Saha. Pic/Shadab Khan
United's big January signing will however be at the cost of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who is expected to join Arsenal despite his contract at Old Trafford running till 2020. Saha, who scored 42 goals for United in 120 appearances, feels the trade is a bit too harsh on the Armenian midfielder. "Mikhi is someone I really like as a player so it will be very sad to see him leave. He underperformed in a way. He has got so much talent, but he didn't have enough time. He is definitely a player we'll miss but Sanchez is a bit more deadly and will definitely help a player like Lukaku get more chances on the field," the Frenchman added.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's 3-0 win over Stoke City has raised hopes that Jose Mourinho's side might just be able to claw back league leaders Manchester City, who suffered their first league defeat of the season at Anfield on Sunday. United's gap has been reduced to 12 points with both teams having played 23 games. Saha too is of the same viewpoint. "Yes, it's always possible. There are not many games left. You have to understand that sometimes the team above you are playing with more consistency and confidence, that's what City is doing right now. We only have to concentrate on our game, be consistent and see if we impose a reason for them to make mistakes, that's where we're going to get our chance. You can always go up, but you really have to do your job," he said.
Quizzed on what has worked for the Red Devils this season, Saha explained: "They were able to have some great starts scoring goals, so that's attacking football in a way. Some players like Rashford, Lingard, Pogba and Lukaku are playing well. That was the difference. There are less draws. That's how Jose Mourinho's season has looked like till now, more consistency, more goals, definitely more confidence in the way we attack and our style of play has been more defined."
Over the next two days, Saha and another Man United great Denis Irwin will be part of Gulf Oil's comprehensive fan-building campaign 'Gulf Fan Academy'. Man Utd's sponsors will engage with Mumbai football supporters through a series of contests, the winners of which will get a chance to travel to Old Trafford.
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