Jose Mourinho has some serious plans for his Manchester United side this month. He is looking to add some quality to his first team and this has seen the club linked with some of the finest stars in Europe. But one player they are reportedly ready to announce any time this week is Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean international has been one of the most consistent wingers in Europe for over a year now but wanted to quit Arsenal, due to lack of silverware. He was linked with an exit even in the summer but the Gunners managed to keep him beyond the deadline day. However, his contract will expire at the end of the season and Arsenal could be forced to sell this month, to avoid losing him for free in the summer.
Manchester City were the front-runners for his signature but pulled out of the deal due to his wage demands and Express now claim that Manchester United have made a break-through and could have Sanchez in their squad for their trip to Turf Moor this weekend itself!
So how will United look with Sanchez in their starting XI?
Mourinho has stuck to a 4-2-3-1 system at Old Trafford this season, with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic hogging the two places in the midfield. The attacking quartet has seen no consistency among them as the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard, have all been fighting for the three places behind Romelu Lukaku, who remains the first choice striker for the Red Devils.
French international Martial has been in good goalscoring form this season, playing primarily on the left-wing. The Arsenal star has played most of his career in this position but might finally have to shift to the other flank, which is completely vacant.
Spanish ace Mata has been decent in a few games but will act as a backup to Sanchez, who will start on the right flank. Martial himself has rarely ever played on the other flank but he could yet leave the left flank for Sanchez, moving to the right. Both players are expected to start games regularly for the Red Devils and will improve the creativity in front of goal.
Jesse Lingard, if he can maintain his form, should start as an attacking midfielder through the middle. Marcus Rashford could play on either wing as a backup, improving the options for the manager.
Mkhitaryan could leave Arsenal as a part of the deal for Sanchez, which will represent good business for both parties. Here is how United might lineup:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK – David de Gea
DEF – Antonio Valencia; Eric Bailly; Phil Jones; Luke Shaw / Ashley Young
MID – Nemanja Matic; Paul Pogba
ATT – Anthony Martial; Jesse Lingard; Alexis Sanchez; Romelu Lukaku
