Manchester United's Alexis Sanchez admits to difficulties after leaving Arsenal

Frank admission | Alexis Sanchez says he expected more from himself at Manchester United
AFP/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj21 March 2018

Alexis Sanchez has opened up about his "difficult" January move from Arsenal to Manchester United, admitting he has expected much more from himself at Old Trafford.

The Chile star swapped the Gunners for the Red Devils in January in a deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan go the other way and Sanchez put pen to paper on a £350,000-a-week contract.

Despite having been Arsenal's star man, Sanchez has struggled for form since moving to United - scoring just one goal and creating two others in 10 appearances in all competitions at Old Trafford.

And such have been Sanchez's woes at his new club that he admits he asked not to go on international duty with his nation Chile to concentrate on his form at United.

Chile, who failed to qualify for this summer's World Cup, take on Sweden on Saturday before playing Denmark next Tuesday.

And speaking from the squad's training base in Sweden, Sanchez said in quotes published by The Mirror: "As I am self-demanding, I expected something better.

In Pictures | Alexis Sanchez joins Manchester United | 22/01/2018

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"After my arrival at United, it was hard to change everything very quickly. I even hesitated to come here [to Sweden, with the national team].

"I had asked permission to miss these games, but then I thought better and spoke with Claudio [Bravo] and told him that we should all be united.

"The change of club was something that was very abrupt - it was the first time I’ve changed clubs in January - but many things have happened in my life that are difficult."

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