Alexis Sanchez reveals how Arsenal manager tried to block Man United move
The Manchester United signing opens up about his move to Old Trafford from Arsenal in January
Alexis Sanchez has lifted the lid on Arsene Wenger’s attempts to keep the Manchester United star at Arsenal.
The Chile international was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City throughout the first half of the 2017-18 Premier League campaign.
Sanchez had six months remaining on his Arsenal deal to fuel talk of a potential switch in the January transfer window.
The South American completed a move to Manchester United after the Red Devils managed to put together a more lucrative package than Manchester City.
Sanchez netted 24 goals in 38 games in his final full Premier League season as an Arsenal player.
The January signing has only scored one goal in 10 appearances in all competitions since his switch to Manchester United from Arsenal.
However, Sanchez has revealed how desperate Wenger was to keep the South American at the Emirates Stadium.
“He told me: ‘I want you to sign here because you are the best player in the team.’” Sanchez said on Chilevision TV, as quoted by the Daily Express.
“I wanted to continue growing as a player, more so as a Chilean, because it’s difficult to get to Man United.
“No Chilean had played here. Arsene understood it at last, we ended up on good terms, he congratulated me and there was no problem.”
Sanchez was powerless to prevent Manchester United from suffering a 2-1 loss to Spanish side Sevilla in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils are in second place in the Premier League table and four points ahead of third-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race to secure a Champions League spot.
Manchester United haven’t won the Premier League title since 2013.
