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Paul Merson acknowledges that Alexis Sánchez will return to Manchester United next season, and may rediscover the way that made him a star at Barcelona and Arsenal.
Sánchez was loaned to Inter Milan last summer after struggling to make an impact at Old Trafford following his £ 15m transfer from Arsenal in early 2019.
The Chilean striker was expected to sign for Inter permanently, but after a season ruined by injury and lack of playing time, it now appears that he will rejoin United when his loan contract expires.
United might try to download it, but Merson acknowledges that the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis will prevent that from happening.
“With what is currently going on, I can’t see a team coming out and spending £ 100 million on a player,” Merson told Sky Sports.
(Image: REUTERS)
“The teams will have to stick with what they have for Manchester United to take over Alexis Sanchez and take him back to the fold it would not be a surprise.”
“The other options would be to go find a replacement and they would have to spend £ 60m or £ 70m to do it. I just don’t think the clubs do it anymore.”
“Clubs cannot ask the government to pay their staff salaries and then, once this has happened, and hopefully it will, they will go to spend £ 60m, £ 70m and even £ 80m on players. Level!
“For that reason, I can understand that Sánchez plays a role at Old Trafford again because, in his day, he is a great player.”
(Image: SkySports)
Merson believes that the Covid-19 pandemic could also change the attitudes of some players, and says that Sánchez could benefit from a change in perspective.
The former Gunners midfielder said, “After this, people will appreciate things much more now, and that includes some of the footballers who get bundles of money and think they can just walk.”
“Sánchez was one of those players, but I think he probably thinks now that this life is going very fast, especially a football career.”
“You should come back and appreciate that you are in one of the biggest clubs in the world, if not the largest.”
“There is logic in Sánchez returning to Old Trafford, he is a superior player and if they can recover even half of the player who was at Barcelona and Arsenal, it will be an advantage.”
“He is definitely a better United than the one he left too. They were flying before the league suspension. They have had excellent performances and some brilliant results, so that will benefit them as well.”
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