It is safe to say that Alexis Sanchez has endured a turbulent time at Manchester United since moving from Arsenal in January 2018. However, he has rediscovered his form in the Copa America this summer.
The Chilean scored the winner as Chile beat Ecuador 2-1 on Friday to secure qualification to the quarter-finals. The goal was his second in as many games at the Copa America in Brazil and he appears to have a renewed hunger and desire that has been lacking at United.
After his goals in the first two games, Chile lost 1-0 to Uruguay in a fight for top spot in Group C but still progressed and will face Colombia in the quarter-finals.
Should they get past that test and go on to win the tournament, it would Sanchez's third Copa America trophy. It was he who scored the winning penalty as Chile won the trophy in 2015, turning him into an instant national hero.
Much-Loved Hero
The forward has made five goal contributions in his last five appearances for his country. He is a talismanic presence and boasts a bond with the fans that seemingly cannot be broken.
"He has the motivation, affection and some relationships that he has in the national team and maybe he didn't have them in Manchester," Chile boss Reinaldo Rueda claimed in an interview, via Goal, after victory over Ecuador.
"He arrived at a difficult, inopportune moment, perhaps in the most unbalanced United in recent years."
Rueda is inarguably correct in saying that the player had arrived at an unbalanced Manchester United and that he is treated with more love with Chile. However, it would be wrong to justify his woeful time at United by simply putting it down to 'love'.
Tactical Differences
Firstly, the tactics employed by Man United are vastly different to that of Chile's.
Rueda employs a 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 formation, where Sanchez
In Need of a Rest
His time at United has been hampered by injuries and it is no wonder why considering his age and the lack of time off he has. It is near impossible to maintain any sort of form when he is having constant injury issues. The 'love' that Rueda speaks of has meant Sanchez is fighting through pain barriers for his country but as a result, it is having a negative impact on his club football.
Alexis Sánchez has scored as many goals in two #CopaAmerica games (2) as he managed in 27 appearances for Man Utd across all competitions in 2018-19. pic.twitter.com/oytQaNXELn
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 22, 2019
In his time at Arsenal, Sanchez set the tempo with his tireless work ethic and relentless goal contributions.
Mental Strength
However, even in his heydey at the Emirates, it wasn't all plain sailing. He had to deal with situations ranging from training ground bust ups, all the way to celebrating alone after scoring.
The key difference is, even after his feuds with teammates, he had the mental strength to not let it affect him. Instead, he would go and grab a couple of goals, like he did against Crystal Palace in December 2017. The same most certainly cannot be said in his time with the Red Devils.
The man, the myth... the underperforming superstar 💔
— 90min (@90min_Football) June 27, 2019
What do you do with a problem like Alexis Sanchez? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/E5ehE1OPsh
His club form has led to rumours suggesting he may be heading out the exit door, with Inter and Atletico Madrid possible suitors. Although his near £500k-a-week contract makes any talks difficult.
After United completed the singing of Daniel James from Swansea, it makes it even harder to begin to entertain the thought that Sanchez has a future at Old Trafford. The young flying Welshman fits the criteria that Solskjaer is looking for, meanwhile, Sanchez simply put, does not.
The
If (and it's a big if) Sanchez, can use the Copa America to rediscover his club form next season, he will be an asset like few others for United.
Source : 90min