Alexis Sanchez takes swipe at Manchester City by claiming he signed for the ‘biggest club in England’
Pep Guardiola's side were hot favourites to sign the Chile international before he penned a deal with Manchester United
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ALEXIS SANCHEZ has had a sly dig at Manchester City by claiming he signed for the “biggest club in England”.
Sanchez joined arch-rivals Manchester United last month from Arsenal in a swap deal which saw Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan move in the opposite direction.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City were hot favourites to land the Chile forward but they ended their interest due to Arsenal’s valuation of a player who only had six-months of his contract left to run.
The 29-year-old has scored one goal in three games for the Red Devils and despite City being 13 points clear of Jose Mourinho’s team, Sanchez is adamant he moved to the right club.
He said: “I think that Manchester United, since I was young - and I’m not just saying this because I’m here, I’m an honest guy and I never lie - I thought it’s the biggest club in England.
“There are lots of big clubs, and having played for Arsenal they are also one of them. It’s a huge club and I was there.
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“But coming here, looking at the badge, I think United have to win everything because it’s such a big club. The club crest says it all.
“I came here to win. I left Arsenal because I wanted to develop and learn as a player, and get to experience a new club.
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“Manchester United are a huge club on the global stage.
“I came here to win everything. Otherwise I wouldn’t have come here.
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“I’m so proud to wear the number 7 shirt, and I know many people say there’s added pressure linked to that or it might work against you, but I simply enjoy my football whether I’m number 10, 9 or any other number. Or even 14 or 12!”
After signing a £505,000 a week deal at Old Trafford for the next four-and-a-half years, Sanchez was at pains to point out the sacrifices he and others put in behind the scenes.
He even revealed how he saw Barcelona superstar Leo Messi in tears in the dressing room after Sanchez’s former side lost to Chelsea in the Champions League in 2012.
He added: “I’ve learned so much over time and with the experience that I’ve gained. You can’t please everyone.
“I think football saves many people. It can give you a life of luxury, but people don’t see all the effort that goes in behind the scenes.
“That might mean not seeing your family or missing your mother’s birthday. Many players are so focused that they miss the birth of their children.
“That’s all part of football. In the Barcelona dressing room after the Chelsea game, I saw Leo (Messi) cry. That’s because players demand so much from themselves. People don’t see that.”