Rohan Sengupta
In a bid to help strike up a fine partnership and understanding, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has put latest blockbuster recruit Alexis Sanchez’s new locker next to academy boy Marcus Rashford’s. Sanchez, 29, who made an eye-catching United debut on Friday against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup, has bags of experience and Mourinho wants the Chilean star to mentor Rashford, according to the Sun.
The United manager believes that the £350,000-a-week Sanchez has the know-how and understanding of the game to guide the England ace to take his game to the next level.
“The gaffer is always looking for an edge. Jose likes players of all ages to be able to mix,” an Old Trafford source was quoted by the Sun.
“It doesn’t seem a coincidence that Alexis’ new locker is right in the middle where Marcus and Jesse Lingard sit. There is also a feeling behind the scenes that Alexis can now take Rashford to another level. Alexis is already involved in all the banter and he bounces around the place. He’s settling in really well here.”
Speaking after the 4-0 victory over Yeovil in the FA Cup, Mourinho hailed Sanchez’s experience and maturity. Surely, Sanchez would be able to guide Rashford just like he helped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Arsenal.
“[He’s a] fantastic addition,” Mourinho told BBC Sport. “Like Ander, everybody accepted that he comes here. He’s a fantastic player for us.
“The question is always which one is going to be out, but it’s not that for us. We have a fantastic group of attacking players, [now] we have one with a bit more experience.
“His choice for the second goal is the kind of choice that a player like Marcus is still too nervous to make that kind of decision. He will bring us this extra maturity.”
At Huish Park, Sanchez showed glimpses of what he is actually capable of doing. Yes, he loses the ball quite often but he’s always ready for that killer pass and that’s what United have been lacking for the past few years.
The experience that the Chilean has in his locker is priceless and the likes of Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial would really benefit from it. We have a talented bunch of individuals and the addition of world-class Sanchez is simply a massive boost.
