Reports in the English media over the last 24 hours have hinted at Alexis Sanchez potentially lining out for Manchester United before the season’s end.
United struggles
Chilean international Sanchez made the move to Manchester in January of 2018, on the back of a scintillating stint with Premier League rivals Arsenal.
To say that the 31-year-old’s time at Old Trafford subsequently proved disappointing, though, would be an understatement.
Sanchez, simply put, failed to deliver in any way, shape or form in a Red Devils jersey.
All told, last season saw the experienced South American notch a paltry 2 goals across all competitions.
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United down injured during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester United at John Smith’s Stadium on May 5, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
In addition, amid a visible dip in confidence, and persistent fitness problems, Sanchez managed just 9 Premier League starts.
Inter switch
As such, it came as little surprise when the former Barcelona man’s departure was made official last August.
Sanchez joined Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan on loan for the 2019/20 campaign, reuniting with Romelu Lukaku at the San Siro:
🛑 | EVERYONE STOP
🥂 @Alexis_Sanchez is a Nerazzurri player! 🇨🇱⚫🔵
👉🏻 https://t.co/4mJAFMukTV#WelcomeAlexis #NotForEveryone #FCIM pic.twitter.com/zJ0jyuhG99
— Inter (@Inter_en) August 29, 2019
Inter woes
The attacker’s time in Milan, though, has since also proven a major disappointment.
Sanchez actually enjoyed a decent start to life in the Nerazzurri jersey, notching a goal and an assist across his first 4 appearances.
However, just when he appeared to be getting things back on track, a serious injury picked up whilst on international duty in October saw Sanchez confined to the sidelines.
The 31-year-old damaged ankle ligaments during a friendly meeting between Chile and Colombia, an injury which has restricted him to just a pair of Serie A starts.
🏥 | ESAMI
Accertamenti clinici e strumentali per @Alexis_Sanchez: il comunicato 👉 https://t.co/0Z09tcBLiJ #FCIM pic.twitter.com/1D6zzeHNRN
— Inter (@Inter) October 15, 2019
Solskjaer to make use of Sanchez?
As such, the widespread assumption has since been that Inter will opt against activating their option to buy Sanchez, with the veteran set to return to Old Trafford for the 2020/21 season.
As outlined above, though, if the latest speculation is to be believed, Manchester United’s fans could yet see their outcast wide-man take to the pitch in the club’s colours before the current campaign comes to a close.
With the COVID-19 crisis continuing to wreak havoc on the sporting world, the English season is expected to drag into July, and potentially even the beginning of August.
Sanchez’s current Inter terms, meanwhile, are set to expire on the 30th of June.
As a result, according to the Daily Star, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to ask the South American to return to Manchester on July 1st, rather than pen an extension to his loan at the San Siro.
Such a move could even see Sanchez handed the chance to impress over the final weeks of the campaign.
The issue for the Red Devils, however, is that the former Arsenal man is said to have his heart set on seeing out the season with Inter, even if his long-term future lies elsewhere.
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