Alexis Sanchez reveals all about Man United move, wanted to join Man City

Alexis Sanchez’s move to Manchester United in January 2018 from Arsenal was one of the most high-profile transfers of the decade.

After establishing himself as one of the best players in the Premier League at Arsenal, he engaged in a swap move to Manchester United that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the other way.

One key aspect of the move was that for six months prior, Sanchez was expected to move to Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, until Jose Mourinho came calling.

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In an interview with TVN, Sanchez opened up on the move, explaining how he ended up at United despite his agreement with City.

“I was about to go to City. I spoke to Guardiola every day, he told me happy birthday. He was like my dad, He was my dad at Barcelona and he was like my dad at City,” La Tercera report him saying, via Sport Witness.

“We talked, we talked every day, he sent me messages. And everything was ready, there was a player who was going to go to Arsenal. Then Wenger tells me you are not leaving because the other player did not want to come and they do not have another.

“Suddenly the cell phone rings. Mourinho tells me: ‘Alexis, here is the seven available for you.’”

One reason it was speculated that Sanchez changed his mind was because of the figure United presented – he was offered a reported £350k a week deal to play in Red.

Sanchez has, however, denied that this was the main motive behind his switch.

“It wasn’t a money thing, so everyone knows,” he explained. “It was the same with United and City. And he said to me here is the seven, we are playing in the Champions League and we are going to give everything. I wanted to leave at that moment, but I had Guardiola’s word.

“That’s when I said to myself, Chilean footballer playing for Manchester United, something that has never happened. With the seven of Cantona, Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and now a Chilean had it, it was a dream.

“I don’t regret going to United, things happen for a reason. I would have liked to have gone to City, yes. We would have won the Champions League by now. In the final I would have done something.”

His move to United ultimately proved to be a disaster, with him managing just five goals and nine assists in 45 games.

Sanchez left the club on loan in 2020 to Inter Milan, with the move being made permanent the following season.