Alexis Sanchez marked his second appearance under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a second assist during the new manager’s reign on Saturday, helping Manchester United to a 2-0 win over Reading in their FA Cup third round tie.
After reports that the Chilean was chomping at the bit to play under Solskjaer, it was no surprise that Sanchez delivered a lively, effective performance in his first start under the Norwegian.
Here’s a closer look at his display.
KEY STATS
Goals – 0
Assists – 1
Shots – 1
Shots on target – 0
Key Passes – 1
Passing Accuracy – 78%
30-SECOND REPORT
Starting in his familiar berth on the left wing, Sanchez was a livewire, combining well with Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku.
Given that his team-mates’ display fell short of the free-flowing attacking football on offer from the first three games under Solskjaer’s reign, perhaps he may have been disappointed, but it never showed. Sanchez set up Lukaku’s goal with a pinpoint pass, and looked assured until he was forced off with a knock in the second half.
...@Alexis_Sanchez has been directly involved in 18 goals in his previous 19 #EmiratesFACup appearances (nine goals, nine assists)... pic.twitter.com/i5vcq1Nanh
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2019
GOT RIGHT
Passing
Sanchez delivered one perfect through ball for Lukaku to run onto and finish, expertly placed so the striker could simply round the Reading keeper and slot home. It was a second straight game with an assist for Sanchez, whose passing overall was also threatening and incisive.
Work rate
United were sloppy in possession, and Reading had more of the ball in any case – 60 per cent to be exact. So Sanchez was often forced to chase after the opposition and try to recover the ball. He stuck to his task well, and was full of running in attack.
GOT WRONG
Dispossessed easily
Only two players were dispossessed more often than Sanchez – Mata and Andreas Pereira were dispossessed five times, while Lukaku matched Sanchez’s tally of three.
It’s a common feature of the winger’s game, as he often attempts expansive passes or tries to take on too many players at once. When it comes off, it looks brilliant, but more often than not in his United career it’s ended up with Sanchez going down. Hopefully he’ll learn to simplify his game.
In his two games under Solskjær, Alexis Sánchez has been Manchester United's most influential player with PI (Player Impact) ratings of 20.69 vs Newcastle and 22.45 vs Reading.
— UtdArena (@UtdArena) January 5, 2019
Despite this, he's only played 91 minutes out of a possible 180.
Effect. pic.twitter.com/jaZoI8iZvS
VERDICT
It wasn’t quite the brilliance that Sanchez used to deliver regularly at Arsenal, but this was a promising display nonetheless.
The 30-year-old is hoping for a new lease of life under an attacking manager and on Saturday, the change of attitude showed. Sanchez ran the channels well, linked up effectively with Lukaku and Mata, and looked eager to chase after Reading’s defenders when United pressed.
Solskjaer will hope this performance was a sign that vintage Sanchez isn’t far off.
RATING – 7/10
