Alexis Sanchez is yet to settle at Manchester United. Would they have been better off signing Lucas Moura instead?
Alexis Sanchez’s stunning transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United was one of the most eye-catching deals in a busy mid-season transfer window.
The Chilean’s first month at United has not been smooth though, suffering two defeats already.
Sanchez has scored one goal in six games and appears to have upset the balance of United’s side.
Paul Pogba is struggling to play alongside him as he likes to move forward into the space where Sanchez drops deep, while United continue to lack width.
Perhaps United would have been better off signing the solution staring them in the face all along.
The Red Devils were linked with Lucas Moura in January, the Brazilian who turned them down in 2012 for PSG.
The Mirror were one of many outlets to link Lucas with a move to Old Trafford, but United chose not to sign him despite his availability and allowed him to join Spurs instead.
Lucas has just one start to his name for Tottenham so far, and one goal, coming against Rochale last week.
But Lucas is more of a disciplined player than Sanchez in terms of fulfilling a role in the side, compared to the Chilean’s preference to roam and drift out of position.
Lucas is a natural wide player and it is on the right wing that United have dearly lacked a traditional player in the position over the past few seasons since Antonio Valencia converted to become a defender.
Sanchez may come good at United but he is presently causing more problems than he solves, although this weekend’s game against Chelsea offers a high profile opportunity to show he is figuring it out.
Presently he has more yellow cards to his name than goals.
If United continue to fail to click then it will suggest United could have made a mistake, signing a name rather than a player suited to their system. Lucas could be exactly that, and their oversight is Tottenham’s gain.
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