After a disappointing half-season at Manchester United, this summer felt like a crucial one for Alexis Sanchez: a chance to recharge his depleted batteries and become more in tune with both his new teammates and manager Jose Mourinho’s demanding style of play. But those plans were scuppered after an issue with his visa prevented Sanchez from flying to Los Angeles with the rest of the United squad on Sunday; if the problem is not resolved, the Chilean risks missing all but one of the club’s pre-season friendlies.
United take on Club America, San Jose Earthquakes, AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid over the next two-and-a-half weeks in the US, giving some out-of-favour players and emerging youngsters the chance to stake a claim to be in the side for the start of the new season…
Redemption for Martial ?
However much Anthony Martial may want to leave Old Trafford, he has picked the worst possible time to agitate for a move. Mourinho has confirmed that all seven United players who made the semi-finals of the World Cup will miss the start of the new campaign, meaning Martial and other squad players will be required to contribute from the off. No Romelu Lukaku, no Marcus Rashford, no Jesse Lingard and no Paul Pogba. United’s attacking options are already going to be limited, but that will be exacerbated further if Sanchez starts the season severely lacking in match sharpness. Right now, Martial is the only senior attacker currently in LA.
Sanchez had been used in a variety of positions by Mourinho, ousting Martial on the left wing as well as lining up just behind Lukaku. His absence will give the young French winger the opportunity to impress either out wide or through the middle – a role he’s been keen to play more often – without Sanchez hogging all the limelight. If Martial is to remain at Old Trafford and forge a glittering career, the next couple of weeks will be crucial.
The next generation
Although Mourinho handed out more minutes to academy players than anyone else last season, that record was boosted somewhat by Lingard, Rashford and £89million man Pogba. Few Under-21 players got a look in, while even the customary end-of-season doling out of debuts was scrapped to give squad players a chance to prepare for the World Cup. But Kieran McKenna’s promotion to assistant has seen seven teenagers join the senior team in the United States, and there are two stand-out names who could benefit from Sanchez’s absence: Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong.
Dutch winger Chong won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award last season, despite a knee injury, and has many of the traits Mourinho admires. He’s tall, extremely quick, powerful and skilful. Although handed his senior debut over a year ago, Gomes is further behind in his development than Chong – and has a much slighter build – but both players will be looking to make a big impression and should see plenty of pitch time. Given the dearth of options in attack, prolific 16-year-old forward Mason Greenwood – who scored 17 goals in 17 starts for the Under-18s last year – and Joshua Bohui could both get run outs too, particularly in the first two friendlies.