Alexis Sanchez doesn't suit Manchester United's style, says Winterburn

Alexis Sanchez isn’t suited to Manchester United’s style of play, according to former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn.

Chile international Sanchez joined United from the Gunners in a swap deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but has scored just four goals in 11 months for his new side and has failed to recapture the form he produced during his three and a half years at the Emirates.

It has been widely reported that the former Barcelona and Udinese star is desperate to bring an end to his Old Trafford nightmare, having been ostracised amongst his team-mates and no longer assured of a place in manager Jose Mourinho’s team.

Speaking exclusively to betting aggregator Bookmakers.tv, former full-back Winterburn believes that Sanchez isn’t a fit in Mourinho’s struggling side.

“I didn’t think Alexis Sanchez's style of play would suit United, he’s a free spirit and you have to know how to deal with him,” he said. "He’s got undoubted ability, but I wasn’t quite sure the way he plays would fit in to the Mourinho way.

“I look back at Sanchez for Arsenal, and there’s something not quite right with him at United, and it will be interesting to see how the situation will develop.

“It will be interesting if he stays and plays a major part for the club or whether he looks for a new challenge, but he’s not hit the level of performance from his time at Arsenal.”

Arsenal look set to lose another of their established performers in the summer, with Aaron Ramsey’s contract set to expire and no movement having happened on a new deal. Bayern Munich looks likely to be the Welshman’s destination.

“It’s looking more and more likely Aaron Ramsey will be a free agent, so he’ll be linked with a whole host of clubs,” said Winterburn. “He’ll have a major decision to make and there’ll be five or six teams interested.

“He’ll be thinking about what’s the right move for him. It doesn’t surprise me the top teams are looking at him. You talk about the freedom of contracts, which frustrates supporters, but it will happen more and more with players.”

Arsenal face United at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with the visitors sitting eight points ahead of their hosts following Saturday’s 4-2 win over Tottenham, while United were held to a 2-2 draw at Southampton.

“A lot of people would say it’s a good time to go to Old Trafford,” Winterburn added. “They are struggling to produce top level performances at home, and when you struggle, players will start to feel anxiety and if you haven’t scored early it transmits into the crowd and frustration from the supporters. If Arsenal take the lead, they could ask serious questions of Man United.”