Manchester United analysis: Is Alexis deal too expensive?
Alexis Sanchez is on the verge of completing his deal to move from Arsenal to Manchester United. Is it too expensive?
The simple answer here is no. No it is not too expensive because this is a deal that is about so much more than money. Manchester United are worryingly far from the side that used to dominate British football. Manchester United are fighting a battle for hearts and minds not just in Manchester where the sky blue half is dipping worryingly into the red but also in the world of economic and merchandising dominance.
By the numbers, Manchester United can afford the amount of money that they’re spending on Sanchez. But it’s also money they need to spend and that’s why it is appropriate. Manchester United couldn’t allow Manchester City to sign Sanchez and continue to move further away from them on the field.
These days football is competed for in many realms. Not just on the field, which of course still matters the most, but economically as well. Manchester City have come on in leaps and bounds in both departments in recent years and Manchester United have struggled. It’s important that United show that they’re still willing to compete in the same manner.
Alexis Sanchez absolutely makes Manchester United a better team. He’s one of the best attacking players in world football. Manchester United also, however, need to show, especially this season, that they’re not going to surrender to Manchester City. There’s too much on the line from a history and pride standpoint for that to happen.
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It is also important to note that Henrikh Mkhitaryan who is going in the other direction is on a salary of 140k a week. That can feasibly be subtracted from the number of Sanchez to make a more honest number.
With United being the club that denied Alexis to City United supporters can at least count that as a moral victory for this season. With the league likely lost for this year, teams are already building for the following season. Alexis strengthens United then and now in the Champions League because he’s not cup-tied. United are likely going to shift their focus to the Champions League this season as Mourinho is a cup specialist and it’s one of the glory trophies still within their grasp.
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Alexis Sanchez gives United a legitimate chance to win both this year and next and United a chance to build against the rising tide that is Manchester City.