Alexis Sanchez has disclosed that he wished to terminate his Manchester United contract just a day after joining the club. The forward, who made a significant impact during his time at Arsenal with 80 goals. Admitted he had second thoughts about his move to Old Trafford in January 2018.
Initially set to join Manchester City, Sanchez’s transfer took a dramatic turn, leading him to Manchester United instead. Despite his stellar performances with Arsenal, Sanchez’s time at United began on a rocky note under then-manager José Mourinho. Reflecting on his decision, Sanchez shared his regrets on Instagram, revealing his initial excitement soon turned to disillusionment.
“I had an agreement with Manchester City, but due to football issues, I decided to join United,” Sanchez explained. “It was tempting, and I had a lot of respect for the club from when I was younger. However, I didn’t fully understand what was happening within the club until I arrived. After my first training session, I went home and told my family and my agent: ‘Can we not rip up the contract and go back to Arsenal?'”
Sanchez’s first few months at United only reinforced his feelings of unease. Despite his early excitement, he struggled to find his rhythm, and his time at Old Trafford was marked by frustration. His tenure, which lasted until 2020, saw him score only five goals in 45 appearances. In 2020, he left United for Inter Milan, where he enjoyed greater success with 20 goals in 109 appearances before moving to Marseille in 2022.
Sanchez’s return to Inter Milan in 2023 was less prolific, netting just four goals in 33 outings. This summer, he signed with Udinese and currently sits sidelined due to a calf injury, with Football London expecting his debut around mid-October.
Sanchez’s struggles at United are part of a broader narrative of high-profile transfers that haven’t always gone as planned. Arsenal, too, have experienced their share of transfer setbacks, notably with Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian winger, signed for a club-record £72 million in 2019, failed to replicate his Ligue 1 form in the Premier League, scoring only 16 goals in 80 appearances before being loaned out to Nice and later transferred to Trabzonspor.
Arsenal seems to have shifted their transfer strategy under Edu and Mikel Arteta. Focusing on younger players with proven Premier League experience, such as Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. When signing older players, they have been more prudent, with Leandro Trossard acquired for a reasonable £27 million and Jorginho joining for just £12 million.
In contrast, Manchester United has experienced costly transfer errors since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. The re-signing of Paul Pogba for a record £89 million from Juventus in 2016. Only to see him return to Juventus on a free transfer six years later, is a notable example. Jadon Sancho, bought for £73 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, has also struggled to make a significant impact, with just 12 goals in 83 appearances. Sancho is currently on loan at Chelsea for the season, hoping to prove himself and secure a permanent move.
Sanchez’s candid reflections and the transfer missteps of both clubs underscore the unpredictable nature of high-profile signings and the challenges faced in getting them right.
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