Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Alexis Sanchez is Manchester United’s Fernando Torres.
The Chilean has not lived up to expectations since his high profile move last January that saw him join United from Arsenal in exchange for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
In fact, Sanchez has only scored four times in 25 appearances for the Red Devils, leading to many questioning not only his performances but also his relationship with Jose Mourinho.
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher sees some similarities between Sanchez’s struggles at United and Fernando Torres during his time at Chelsea.
“There is broad agreement Alexis Sanchez has not been the same player since he joined Manchester United,” he wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph. “Actually, this is slightly inaccurate. Sanchez has not been the same player for longer than that.
“The more I watch him in a Manchester United shirt, the more convinced I am his poor final year at Arsenal was not due to a declining team or loss of motivation as he prepared to leave.
“Sanchez’s best years have gone. He is to Manchester United what Fernando Torres was to Chelsea.
“The warning signs should have been clearer to Manchester United when they pursued Sanchez. The forward they signed had made 667 senior appearances for club and country before his 29th birthday.
“By any standards, that is a massive number. Copa America, Confederations Cup and World Cup commitments have stopped Sanchez enjoying a summer break throughout his career.
“The reports coming out of Arsenal during the final months of Sanchez’s spell at the Emirates were uncannily similar to those I recall about Torres at Anfield, his declining contribution attributed to a general malaise at the club as Arsene Wenger’s reign came to an end.
“No matter what the circumstances, no world-class footballer wants or tries to play badly. There had to be more to it, and Arsenal fans seeing Sanchez toil at United will be the least surprised at how the move is turning out.”
Fans have vented their discontent at executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for the club’s lack of transfer activity over the summer despite United making Sanchez the highest paid player in the Premier League when they signed him in January.
The Chilean is reportedly unhappy with his place in Mourinho’s setup but Carragher believes Sanchez needs to look at himself and make sure he ups his game.
“There were reports that Sanchez is unhappy with his role at United under Mourinho, but the manager is entitled to be unhappy with how his marquee signing is performing,” he added. “Rather than seeking to blame others, Sanchez should be looking at himself.
“Sanchez is the elephant in the room for Mourinho and all those United fans seeking to pin all the blame on executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for the current imbalance in the squad, failing to secure transfer targets.
“When you hear and read some of the remarks about United’s poor recruitment, you would think Mourinho is the only manager in the world who has missed out on targets.
“Sanchez’s salary is reportedly the highest of any Premier League footballer and in the same ballpark as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“United thought they were signing a ready-made, world-class attacker who would immediately elevate the quality of their side – a guarantee of goals and assists. Instead, Sanchez is one of the many problems contributing to a difficult period in Manchester United’s history.”
Manchester United take on Chelsea on Saturday as Premier League football returns following the international break.
The post Alexis Sanchez is Man Utd’s Fernando Torres, says Jamie Carragher appeared first on Squawka News.
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