Jose Mourinho should be deploying Alexis Sanchez in a more central role if he is to get the best out of his new signing, according to former Arsenal star Nigel Winterburn.
The Chile international has made a slow start to his Manchester United career following his January transfer which saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move in the opposite direction.
Mourinho had hoped that the 29-year-old would make an instant impact at Old Trafford following a spell of indifferent form for the Gunners, but Sanchez has scored just once in six appearances for his new club.
The former Barcelona forward has been stationed out on the wing for the majority of his United career thus far, but Winterburn believes a spell through the middle would reinvigorate both Sanchez and his new teammate Romelu Lukaku.
MORE: Jose Mourinho has three bigger problems than Paul Pogba at Manchester United
He told Sky Sports: ‘I actually believe this season Sanchez hasn’t been at the same high level he was at last season, he’s had a slight dip in form.
‘He’s now moved to a new club. How will Manchester United use Sanchez best in the dynamics of their set-up?
‘I just wonder eventually whether Sanchez will come in and play off the central striker in Lukaku. I can see that working very well for them.
‘Then you can come in and use Martial or Rashford down one of your wings – that might start to excite Manchester United supporters and it’s a way of getting another creative player in the side
‘He’s going to be a huge success but I think it will take him a little bit of time.’
More: Manchester United FC
Jose Mourinho should be deploying Alexis Sanchez in a more central role if he is to get the best out of his new signing, according to former Arsenal star Nigel Winterburn.
The Chile international has made a slow start to his Manchester United career following his January transfer which saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move in the opposite direction.
Mourinho had hoped that the 29-year-old would make an instant impact at Old Trafford following a spell of indifferent form for the Gunners, but Sanchez has scored just once in six appearances for his new club.
The former Barcelona forward has been stationed out on the wing for the majority of his United career thus far, but Winterburn believes a spell through the middle would reinvigorate both Sanchez and his new teammate Romelu Lukaku.
MORE: Jose Mourinho has three bigger problems than Paul Pogba at Manchester United
He told Sky Sports: ‘I actually believe this season Sanchez hasn’t been at the same high level he was at last season, he’s had a slight dip in form.
‘He’s now moved to a new club. How will Manchester United use Sanchez best in the dynamics of their set-up?
‘I just wonder eventually whether Sanchez will come in and play off the central striker in Lukaku. I can see that working very well for them.
‘Then you can come in and use Martial or Rashford down one of your wings – that might start to excite Manchester United supporters and it’s a way of getting another creative player in the side
‘He’s going to be a huge success but I think it will take him a little bit of time.’
