OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has been told to find room in his squad for misfit Alexis Sanchez next season.
Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has refused to pay off the former Arsenal misfit’s two years left on his deal.
But United manager Solskjaer – who has described flop Sanchez as like a pretty chair that for some reason looks out of place in his house – is determined that the £400,000-a-week Chilean striker will not restrict the progress of young stars like Mason Greenwood and Daniel James.
The final option available to the Norwegian is to get someone else to take Sanchez, who turns 32 this year, on a year-long loan deal.
But Sanchez’s incredible wages would surely put off would-be suitors.
His year-long loan at Inter Milan has been nothing short of a disaster but he will not be able to figure in United’s last nine Prem games.
He struggled to get into the squad, then was laid off for three months with an ankle injury.
Inter boss Antonio Conte used Sanchez as a sub in the 11 games before the coronavirus shutdown.
But the Italians don’t want him next season so he will return to Old Trafford.
Sanchez has never been able to rediscover the sort of form he showed at Arsenal which prompted United to stump up such huge wages.
With money short due to the coronavirus, Woodward wants to avoid a pay-off and has held talks with Solskjaer about keeping the South American.
That would likely cost United in the region of £24million.
But other United stars, unhappy with the Chilean’s mega wages, would prefer to see him out the Old Trafford exit door.
Solskjaer is well aware that, having got his squad into the greatest shape since he was named permanent boss, the return of Sanchez will upset the apple cart.
But he will try and find a squad role for Sanchez until he leaves on a free transfer in 2022, using a strange analogy to describe the situation he has with the Chilean.
The Norwegian, quoted in the Mirror, said: “Sometimes when you decorate your living room it might be a nice chair or nice sofa but it maybe doesn’t go with the rest of it.
“Of course there’s a place for good players and good people in this environment.
“Let’s see where we get to after the season, because we do feel this squad is exciting. We do feel we’re on the way to something.
“It’s up to all the players when they’re here to do well, because there’s always talk of people coming in and out, and it’s about gelling this group together.”
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By: Alan Scott
Title: Alexis Sanchez faces new Man Utd squad role with Woodward unwilling to pay him off after holding talks with Solskjaer
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/premierleague/11859881/sanchez-new-united-role-talks-solskjaer/
Published Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2020 11:20:49 +0000