Manchester United's Alexis Sanchez completes Inter loan move
What's the story
Alexis Sanchez was left a frustrated figure at Old Trafford since his arrival at the club in January 2017. The Chilean endured a difficult period and made just 45 appearances. Sanchez has joined Inter Milan on a 10-month loan deal in order to revive his career. United will still pay majority of his staggering wages. Here's more.
Sanchez United
Sanchez failed to get going at United
Sanchez arrived at United with a lot of expectations. He was superb in his spell at Barcelona and Arsenal. One expected him to carry on with the form he endured at the Emirates. However, Sanchez fell from grace and netted just five goals during his time at United. He hardly got going and was injured frequently. That didn't help United's cause.
Mistake
Sanchez was a costly mistake for United
Former United manager Jose Mourinho got in Sanchez and the club made him Premier League's highest-paid player on a four-and-a-half-year contract. He was involved in a swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Last season was a disaster for Sanchez. He scored just one Premier League goal and hardly started for the club. He lost all the confidence and faded away.
Move
United let Sanchez go, Chilean reunites with Lukaku
United decided to let him go and rather put trust on three youngsters in the form of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood in attack. Sanchez joins Romelu Lukaku at Inter, who earlier left United this summer after spending two seasons at the club. Sanchez will hope to find his feet and make this move count. He needs his confidence back.
Solskjaer
Solskjaer highlights why Alexis was allowed to go
"Alexis needed to go. At the moment, we know he's been here for 18 months and it's not really worked out for him. For him to restart and get himself playing regularly and scoring goals that will only benefit everyone in the end," said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He also stated that United had a decision to make on Sanchez.
Italy
Sanchez not the only one heading to Serie A
Sanchez isn't the only United player heading out on loan. Experienced central defender Chris Smalling is also set to finalize a loan move to Roma in Serie A. Also, versatile defender Matteo Darmian is in fray to head back on loan to an Italian club before the transfer window shuts down.