Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle United: 4 men who saved Mourinho’s job

#2 Alexis Sanchez

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

Alexis Sanchez was tipped to have a great season, but has sunk lower and lower with every passing game. He had played five games before Saturday and had not found the back of the net. The Chilean cut a sorry figure and looked out of confidence every time he set foot on the field.

This was a huge concern for Manchester United, who had spent a lot of money on him and were also counting on him to spearhead their title challenge this season. Sanchez’s recent bad run of form meant that he started the game on the bench, but Mourinho decided to gamble and brought the Chilean on for Rashford in the second half. Sanchez would go on to return the favour.

Sanchez looked sharp and lively as he came on and tried to set up his team mates. He looked in contention to take the free kick, but Mata took charge and scored. It was an uneventful day for him almost until the last minute of the game, when he found himself in the box again. Ashley Young sent in a good ball and when Martial missed his header completely, Sanchez was in position, but it was not a straight forward chance. The Chilean had to improvise and he did well, scoring the winner and earning United a valuable and morale boosting win at home.

It would do him a whole lot of good, but it has certainly strengthened his manager’s position at the club and Sanchez, by scoring the winning goal, has almost saved Mourinho’s job at Manchester United.