Moyes Targets 26m Euro Barcelona forward after being left despondent by Young and Valencia

Alexis Sanchez

With Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young failing to impress so far this season, Manchester United manager David Moyes is said to be “despondent” with the pair’s performance thus far and is targeting a winger this coming January. According to the Daily Express, Barcelona’s £22 million-rated Alexis Sanchez is the man he wants.

The Chilean was a target for the Red Devils prior to his signing for the Catalans back in 2011 from Udinese. He hasn’t exactly proved a massive hit so far, but is enjoying a bit of a revival under new boss Gerardo Martino, netting four goals, which is already half of his tally from last season, and making two assists in his six La Liga appearances to date.

Alexis Sanchez’s duels this term

The 24-year-old is extremely quick, agile, and is a very direct runner with the ball. He loves taking on defenders, attempting an average of 2.6 take-ons per game last season and 3.3 per game so far this season. He also likes to shoot, averaging 1.1 attempts on goal per game last season and 2.3 so far this season, and has an eye for goal, as evidenced by his respective tallies for last season and this one.

He is also very energetic, always on the move. This in particular would surely appeal to Moyes, given the performances of Valencia and Young thus far have lacked the kind of fire that Sanchez’s performances generally have. With his pace, tricky feet, and athleticism, it’s unsurprising, then, that he draws a high number of fouls from his opponents, averaging close to 2.6 per game last season and 3.3 so far this season.

Sanchez’s efforts on goal in La Liga this term

And in addition to getting forward at every opportunity, Sanchez is a willing defender, attempting an average of 1.1 tackles per game last season and 1.4 so far this season. But he can be a bit too eager and clumsy in the challenge, committing an average of 1.3 fouls per game both last season and this.

He is a versatile player too–another thing Moyes would no doubt like about Sanchez. In addition to playing on the right, he can play on the left as well as through the middle as a second striker, a role he thrived in during his final year at Udinese, thus giving the Scot a few tactical options. But these options could only be explored in league play for now, however, as the Chilean would be cup-tied for the Champions League, given he has already played in the competition for Barcelona.

Whether the La Liga champions would sell or not is debatable. Sanchez isn’t exactly a key player for the side but, on the other hand, he is in fine form at the moment. As for whether the player himself would be interested in moving clubs, his family is reportedly settled in Spain, which would make completing a deal that much harder. Additionally, he may feel that he needs to stay and prove that he can make it at the club. After all, a move to Barcelona is considered a dream, one that once achieved is hard to give up.

It’s an unlikely transfer, in truth, but should it happen against all odds, Sanchez should prove a worthwhile addition to United’s lacklustre collection of wingers.