LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on May 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Ryan Giggs believes Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez would help Manchester United should he sign with the club next year.
The 43-year-old former United midfielder praised Sanchez and said the Chilean striker could benefit from the same situation Dutch forward Robin Van Persie found himself in five years ago.
Van Persie, who now plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe, made a surprising £24 million ($31 million at today’s rate) move to Old Trafford from Anfield in 2012 after eight years with Arsenal.
Sanchez’s contract with Arsenal expires in 2018, and the 28-year-old has yet to sign a new deal. The Chilean, who joined the Gunners from Barcelona in 2014, has scored 21 goals and delivered ten assists in the Premier League this season.
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“[He’s] a brilliant player,” Giggs told Premier League Productions and the Daily Express of Sanchez. “His work rate, the effect he has on his teammates, a winner. He just looks how South Americans are, tough aren’t they.”
When asked if he could see Sanchez at Old Trafford, Giggs answered: “Yeah. Jose Mourinho bought [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic because he is a winner. He’d won everywhere he’d gone. Not only the effect on the pitch but off the pitch as well.
“You can just feel that Sanchez would give his teammates a lift.”
Giggs then compared the Chilean’s situation to Van Persie’s in 2012.
“When we bought Van Persie you’re buying a ready-made superstar and everyone was like ‘Van Persie scores 25 goals a season,” Giggs continued. “‘What a brilliant buy’. And it gives not only the fans a lift, but the players.”
Sanchez is the first Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals since Van Persie in his final season with the club.
The Chilean has repeatedly said he is happy at Anfield, though he also admitted he was “frustrated” by the Gunners’ failure to win a title and added he hopes to be competing for the Champions League.
Arsenal finished in fifth place in the Premier League this season with 69 points, just one spot ahead of United, who ended the season with 65 points.
United next visit Southampton on Wednesday after losing 2-1 at Tottenham on Sunday.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 16: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on May 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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