Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United on Monday in a rare swap deal among two of England's top teams that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to Arsenal.
“I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world,” said Sanchez, a former Barcelona player who had an opportunity to join United's neighbor and fierce Premier League rival, Manchester City.
The chance to play in this historic stadium (Old Trafford) and to work with (United manager) Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn downAlexis Sanchez
The transfers of the 29-year-old players were announced simultaneously, with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger saying Mkhitaryan was a "very complete player."
“It's a dream come true,” Mkhitaryan said, “because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Arsenal.”
No financial details were disclosed, but United said Mkhitaryan was joining as "part of the deal" to bring Sanchez to Old Trafford.
Signing Sanchez is being viewed as a real statement by United, like Eric Cantona joined in 1992 and Robin van Persie — who also arrived from Arsenal — in 2012. Beating City to the Chile forward will make his arrival all the more sweet for United fans and Mourinho.
Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world. said. He will bring his ambition, drive and personality, qualities that make a Manchester United player, and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club dimension and prestige.Jose Mourinho, Manager, Manchester United
City came close to signing Sanchez in August and looked to be the favorite to get him this month, only to end its interest in the forward following a rival bid from United. The Premier League leader said Sanchez and his agent increased their financial demands and that it didn't want to destabilize the team by bringing in a player who would be its highest earner.
Sanchez joined Arsenal from Barcelona in July 2014 for about 30 million pounds, choosing a move to London amid interest from Liverpool.
He was the top scorer in two of his three completed seasons at Emirates Stadium and helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2015 and '17, quickly becoming a favorite with the fans. However, with Sanchez happy to run down his contract, Wenger accepted the need to sell his star player.
Sanchez's debut for United could come on Friday, in the FA Cup fourth-round match at fourth-tier Yeovil.
Mkhitaryan moved to United from Borussia Dortmund, where he was the German league player of the year, but struggled to secure a regular place in the team under Mourinho except in the first few months of this season.
The Armenia international scored 23 goals and set up 32 more in his last season at Dortmund but failed to reproduce anything close to those numbers at United.
With injuries affecting Mkhitaryan in his early months at United, Mourinho said the player needed time to adjust to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League.
He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well. I must say he’s a player who has all the attributesArsene Wenger, Manager, Arsenal
Mkhitaryan is cup-tied in that competition, so could make his debut against Swansea next week.
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