ALEXIS SANCHEZ TO MAN UNITED: A DEAL THAT CAN SHIFT POWER

Over their long and glittering history, Manchester United has made a habit of making key signings that have changed the club’s destiny.

The audacious capture of Alexis Sanchez from under the noses of neighbours Man City could be the latest. Bringing Denis Law home from his unhappy spell in Italy back in 1962 for a British record transfer fee was the launch pad for their 1960s glory days under Sir Matt Busby; Eric Cantona’s surprise signing from Leeds in 1992 proved the catalyst for their dominance in the 1990s; the arrivals of the youthful Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney within a year of each other paved the way for their ‘Noughties’ domination while Robin Van Persie’s arrival in 2012 ensured Sir Alex Ferguson ended his managerial reign with a 13th Premier League title.

Sanchez has all the qualities to join that pantheon of greats and have a similar impact. United won’t catch Man City in the title chase this season but he will ensure they push them all the way and improve their chances of winning the Champions League and FA Cup – he is not cup-tied for either competition. And his arrival is a major statement of intent for next season.

Jose Mourinho has known for some time that while he has a very good team, it lacks a little bit of magic in the final third. They have pace, power and youthful exuberance in abundance in Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are a formidable midfield pairing; they have an excellent defence and arguably the world’s best goalkeeper in David De Gea.

But Sanchez, 29, will bring more goals, more assists and better decision-making in the final third. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic struggling to return to his best after his serious knee injury and not the long-term answer up front anyway, Sanchez will ease the burden on Lukaku while his vast experience will have a positive effect on youthful trio Martial, Rashford and Lingard – just like Cantona did with the Class of 92.

The question has been asked why he turned his back on City and a re-union with Pep Guardiola. Maybe it is because he realised he would not have made as big a difference at the Etihad as he can make at Old Trafford. His wages are eye-watering but then by swapping Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, United have landed a player who in today’s market is probably worth around £100m, effectively for free.

The Chile international’s skill, eye for an opening; versatility and work-rate tick all the boxes for Mourinho. He is the epitome of the kind of player he has always liked in his teams. He can play on the right, on the left, through the middle or in a deeper role off Lukaku, depending on who United are facing.

United do not score enough goals from the number of good positions they create – underlined by their narrow win at Burnley as well as the three frustrating draws against Leicester, Burnley and Southampton, they suffered over the Christmas period that effectively ended their title challenge.