Three burning questions answered as Man United swoop for Alexis Sanchez

Here, Sport360’s Brendon Netto provides a few answers.

SANCHEZ OR OZIL THE PRIORITY?

For months, a reunion for Jose Mourinho and Mesut Ozil has been on the cards only for United to move for Sanchez instead.

Arsenal aren’t going to sell both players to the Red Devils so they’re going to have to prioritise.

During Paul Pogba’s absence, United’s lack of creativity was palpable and recruiting Ozil would go some way to rectifying that.

On paper though, even if the unreliable Henrikh Mkhitaryan is shown the door, United do have creative options in Juan Mata and perhaps Jesse Lingard given the latter’s recent form.

Let’s not forget their ongoing pursuit of Antoine Griezmann either and to a lesser extent, that of Paulo Dybala. Not to mention the impressive Andreas Pereira on loan at Valencia who is widely expected to be part of United’s first team squad next term.

Mourinho made it clear that he landed three out of four of his summer targets and it’s a poorly kept secret that Ivan Perisic was the one that got away, a left winger.

It stands to reason then that the Portuguese is desperate to make up for that failure and landing Sanchez would more than accomplish that. Clearly, the United boss believes a quality winger should be top priority.

JUST A PLOY BY ARSENAL TO RAISE THE TRANSFER FEE?

This is very likely. United are used time and time again to drive up a player’s transfer fee. However, if this is indeed Arsenal’s strategy, it’s ill-advised.

Sanchez may be desperate to leave the Gunners, reunite with Pep Guardiola and win trophies with City but the Citizens are hardly pining for the 29-year-old.

Of course, they want Sanchez. He would improve their squad, just like he would any in Europe. But the transfer only really makes sense for City if it’s a bargain. Pay any more than they’re already willing and it won’t be.

Guardiola has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal. Even taking Gabriel Jesus’ injury into consideration, they boast an embarrassment of riches. They’re on course to stroll to the Premier League title, are one result away from a League Cup final and are among the frontrunners in the Champions League.

Come the summer, they will be able to cherry pick the best attacking talent Europe has to offer. Why then pay over the odds for a 29-year-old on enormous wages with six months left on his contract? There’s no need for that sort of desperation.

United on the other hand would give an arm and a leg – roughly translating to £25m, a salary package upwards of £300,000 and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – to recruit someone of Sanchez’s calibre and experience.

Hence, it’s possible that United’s interest is indeed genuine.

WHICH IS THE BETTER OPTION FOR SANCHEZ?

Simply put – City.

Yes, at United he would be afforded a starring role, fans would fawn over him, he’d probably don the famous number 7 jersey and be remembered for lifting the curse that’s been attached to it since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

But at City, he’d have a Premier League winner’s medal around his neck within months.

There’s also the Guardiola factor of course. He’s eager to play under the Spaniard again and will enjoy City’s free-flowing approach.

At 29 though, Sanchez needs to make the most of the time he has at the top and at City, he can do just that. United on the other hand are very much a work in progress, a step up from Arsenal no doubt, but the Blue half of Manchester is where the finished article lies.

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