ALEXIS SANCHEZ has officially been confirmed as a Manchester United player – but did Jose Mourinho leak a clue to the signing six months ago?
Sanchez finally completed his move from Manchester United to Arsenal, putting an end to one of the biggest transfer sagas in Premier League history, at 6pm on Monday.
The deal, which sees Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the opposite way from Old Trafford to the Emirates Stadium, was announced in a cringe-worthy video of Sanchez featuring in a ‘Glory glory Man United’ piano video.
But it is this footage above which could suggest Mourinho had already given the world a clue it was coming.
The United boss guided his side to a 5-2 win over LA Galaxy on July 16 in a pre-season friendly in America.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ MAKES BIG BLUNDER IN FIRST MAN UTD INTERVIEW
After the game, he conducted a 10-minute press conference in which he was asked about Real Madrid frontman Alvaro Morata.
It was a simple question with United’s interest in Morata no secret at the time. But he responded bizarrely – by calling Morata by the name of Alexis Sanchez instead.
When asked by a Spanish journalist if United were attempting to sign Morata, he replied in Spanish: “It is a question for Florentino [Perez, the Real president]. I don’t know the first thing about Sanchez.”
It was shrugged off as a mistake but now, six months later, Manchester United have got their fan.
The announcement brings to an end of a week of transfer drama as United beat rivals Manchester City to get the deal done.
Sanchez finally completed his move from Manchester United to Arsenal, putting an end to one of the biggest transfer sagas in Premier League history, at 6pm on Monday.
The deal, which sees Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the opposite way from Old Trafford to the Emirates Stadium, was announced in a cringe-worthy video of Sanchez featuring in a ‘Glory glory Man United’ piano video.
But it is this footage above which could suggest Mourinho had already given the world a clue it was coming.
The United boss guided his side to a 5-2 win over LA Galaxy on July 16 in a pre-season friendly in America.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ MAKES BIG BLUNDER IN FIRST MAN UTD INTERVIEW
After the game, he conducted a 10-minute press conference in which he was asked about Real Madrid frontman Alvaro Morata.
It was a simple question with United’s interest in Morata no secret at the time. But he responded bizarrely – by calling Morata by the name of Alexis Sanchez instead.
When asked by a Spanish journalist if United were attempting to sign Morata, he replied in Spanish: “It is a question for Florentino [Perez, the Real president]. I don’t know the first thing about Sanchez.”
It was shrugged off as a mistake but now, six months later, Manchester United have got their fan.
The announcement brings to an end of a week of transfer drama as United beat rivals Manchester City to get the deal done.
And he very cleverly endeared himself to Gunners fans by revealing he is in love with Thierry Henry.
He added: “I always loved the way that Arsenal played and the way that Arsene Wenger has managed the team. There have been a lot of young players, he’s managed them and they’ve done very well.
“Of course I was in love with the game of Thierry Henry. I loved the way he played – and maybe that was the reason to support Arsenal.”
Wenger said: “Henrikh is a very complete player. He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well. I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes.”
The transfer was delayed with Sanchez and Mkhitaryan both needing work permits – but that has now been done.
Footage of Sanchez, 29, outside the Home Office building in Liverpool emerged online this afternoon. The Chile forward would have travelled there to update his work permit with details of his new employer. Mkhitaryan visited the same office.
But he didn’t leave without firing a parting shot at some ex-Arsenal players.
He posted on Instagram: “I want to say thanks to the Technical Staff, to the medical team and all teammates with whom I shared many nice things for the club and especially those people who do not see themselves on the covers, but without them nothing would be possible, which are there to prepare food for us and take care of us day by day, those who keep our shoes clean and the grass in the best conditions. Many thanks to you for helping us to improve every day. Thank you very much.
“There are people (former club players) who have spoken with no knowledge of what happens inside the club and cause damage. I must say I always gave 100%, until the last day, when I asked to the Mister to be in the team, because I wanted to be a contribution.
“I remember today, a conversation I had with Henry, a historic Arsenal player, who changed club for the same reason and today is my turn.
“Thanks for everything Gunners! All we achieved and the good moments that I gave to the club, I want to dedicate it to the fans, they are the most important. Thanks for every time you sing Alexis Sanchez Baby.”
Henrikh Mkhitaryan says it was his dream to sign for Arsenal
1. Hometown glory
In Sanchez’s hometown of Tocopilla, Chile, not only is there a statue in his honour but also a street named after him. Residents of the city voted and chose the street formerly known as ‘Cuarta Poniente’ (fourth street), the location of the Cancha Lazareto football pitch where Sanchez first began playing, to be renamed Calle Alexis Sanchez.
2. ‘The Wonder Kid’
Despite being known as ‘El Nino Maravilla’, which translates as ‘The Wonder Kid’, Sanchez went by a different name growing up. He was referred to by the people in his city as ‘ardilla’ or ‘dilla’, which translates as ‘squirrel’. He was given this nickname because he was always seen climbing on the roofs of houses and up trees as well as jumping into gardens and running under fences in order to find his football.
3. Santa’s little helper
Sanchez has always had a special bond with Tocopilla, and every year, when possible, he returns to the city at Christmas time. Along with the mayor and his friends, Sanchez stands on the back of a float handing out presents to the children of the village.
4. The barefoot boy
As a child, Sanchez’s mother could not afford to buy him any football boots. He therefore played a lot of the time barefoot, which he claims is the reason behind the style of play he has now – “running with little jumps” – as he used to frequently avoid rocks. However, when playing for local team Arauco, he was given his first pair of boots. The mayor of Tocopilla was a fan of Arauco and gifted Sanchez a pair of Reebok boots. When recalling the story Sanchez said: “I was as happy as a dog with two tails.”
5. And the Oscar goes to…
When discussing retirement Sanchez has said he would like to go into acting when his time on the pitch comes to an end. He claims this is why he always puts a lot of effort into any advertisements he is a part of. Sanchez would like to play the role of a detective in his movies, but does not think he would make it to Hollywood due to his still-limited command of English.
Source:www.express.co.uk