The Mirror claim that Alexis Sanchez regrets opting for Manchester United over Manchester City.

Well, d’uh!

When Alexis opted for Jose Mourinho over Pep Guardiola’s title-winning side, most people agreed he had been swayed by the mega-money United waved in his face.

Three goals and six assists in 23 appearances since he joined United nine months ago have seen him dropped from the matchday squad altogether as United fans start to realise he’s really not all that special.

Although he wasn’t in the lineup to play at West Ham, he was with the team that travelled to London and reportedly had a chat with Lucas Perez in the tunnel. “Sanchez, 29, had a long chat with former Arsenal team mate Lucas Perez, now at West Ham, in the tunnel and there is a feeling he regrets his move to Old Trafford in January,” writes John Cross.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Cross, as we all know only too well, rarely gets any inside information, so while this is a story most Arsenal fans will be dying to believe, don’t do that just on the back of what Cross writes.

That being said, it doesn’t take an inside source to help draw the conclusion that Alexis made a mistake. Leaving aside all personal feelings towards Mourinho, there seemed no reason at the time in opting for United over City, certainly no footballing ones. There seems even fewer now as Jose’s infamous third-season-syndrome kicks in at Old Trafford.

Reports over the weekend claimed that United have put Alexis up for sale while another report claimed Arsenal are favourites to re-sign him. That’s just stupid.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on March 5, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on March 5, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

If you’re an Arsenal fan who delights in schadenfreude then Alexis Sanchez’s move to Manchester United tastes very sweet indeed. Of course, schadenfreude requires misfortune to delight in and how much of that there is when Alexis landed such a mega contract is debatable. Given how much we all know he loves to play, however, I doubt the money helps all that much beyond a certain point.

There’s no denying that Alexis has struggled since leaving Arsenal. Last season, he endured his worst season since arriving in the Premier League in 2014 and his worst overall since he was just 21. 9 goals and 6 assists in 31 Premier League games is a remarkable drop from his stats the season before which saw him score 24 and assist 11 in 38.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: A dejected looking Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on January 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Turning 30 in a few months, it’s hard to see how Alexis can be better than he was with Arsenal although, at this point, I’m sure most United fans would accept him simply being better than he is right now. He has just one assist to his name this season from five games.

But that might never happen.

There is a long history of players moving from Arsenal for greener pastures only to find themselves waist-deep in shit.

Thomas Vermaelen couldn’t resist the call of Barcelona in 2014. Similarly Alex Song and Alex Hleb. None of those players, however, had the talent of Alexis.

What then of Cesc Fabregas? Sure, he won some trophies but at the cost of his Arsenal legacy and life as a player no longer loved by any set of fans. Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri, and Lassana Diarra are another few that spring to mind, but it is a long list.

Similarly, Robin van Persie, who is perhaps the closest Alexis example. He left Arsenal when he finally hit his peak, enjoyed one good season with United and then faded to nothing.

image 8
Daily Mail 21 March 2018

As I’ve mentioned before in other posts on here, including before Alexis moved, players who score more than 20 goals regularly are a very rare commodity and Alexis has never been in that bracket.

His 30-goal season for Arsenal was the best he’s ever had as a professional. Last season he should have built on that.

Instead, he spent half of it sulking about not being allowed to move to Manchester City and not making the World Cup. He switched off at Arsenal and hasn’t been able to restart himself at United.

Alexis is a player who wants to play every minute. Like a toddler having a tantrum, coaches have spoken about the frustration Alexis feels when he’s not playing. Given his current form, frustration is unlikely to do anything to help him or United.

Manchester United and their fans will hope they can still see the best of Alexis Sanchez but his past performances don’t hint at a player just waiting to burst out with 20 goals a season for the next three-and-a-bit years:

alexis sanchez career goals
via Wikipedia

The biggest fear Arsenal fans had was that Alexis would go to United and do what Robin van Persie did. But they shouldn’t have worried. That outcome was always more unlikely than the Chilean having a relatively ordinary season punctuated with a sprinkling of magic moments.

At the minute, however, you get the feeling that United fans would take even that.

As for Arsenal, I can’t imagine for a second that they want to take him back but I have no problem at all believing Alexis regrets his choice.