I still don’t understand why you would let your best player go to your direct competitors. This is even more puzzling when you’re in the process of rebuilding your team.

Alexis Sanchez was getting close to the end of his contract, and it is fair that he would have wanted to leave Arsenal, but I’m sure it was not only Premier League clubs that were interested in his services.

I’ve always liked Sanchez because he’s a real force and a threat in any game. He scored 80 goals and got 46 assists in 166 games for the Gunners, and will the first Chilean to represent Manchester United’s first team after leading his country to win Copa America in 2015, their first major title. When a player has that much ability and mental strength to lead a team, you just have to make sure you keep him motivated.

That motivation is the one thing he’s looking for from his club, and who is better at giving a top player the feeling that he can win trophies and go to the very top of his game, than Mourinho?

Jose would have told Alexis things like: “If you want to win trophies and make the Sanchez brand bigger, then come and play at the biggest club in the world, with the biggest manager that has won big trophies, and always wants to add more to his collection. And as a bonus, I’ll match the amount any big team has offered you including a starting position in my team.”

I can’t blame Sanchez himself for choosing United. Robin Van Persie made a similar move back in 2012, and that turned out to be a transfer-defining switch. RVP was Arsenal’s top player and went on to win the Premier League the following season at United. That will also be Sanchez’ goal. City are 12 points clear at the top with 14 games to play, and the way they are playing makes you have to admit that the title is within their grasp. But Sanchez knows that in the long term he will have just as much chance of winning the PL with United as they continue to build and gel as a team.

I can’t blame Mourinho for being smart in making his direct competitors weaker by taking away their star player. He will fit right into Mourinho’s system because Sanchez is a great goal scoring threat, especially when it comes to fast counterattacks and running at players with high energy. The only thing I’m not sure about is if he will start him from the left, with Rashford and Martial already battling in healthy competition for that spot.

One thing is for sure though. Man Utd are bringing in more firepower and it’s clear they’re trying to bring the PL trophy back to Old Trafford next season.

#mmlove