Eight years ago today, Manchester United and Arsenal shook the Premier League with a blockbuster swap deal that felt like a win-win on paper. Instead, the Alexis Sánchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan exchange became a tale of shattered expectations and expensive mistakes.
Alexis Sanchez lit up the Premier League during his time at Arsenal, which explains why he became a Manchester United target when it appeared as though the Chilean was running down his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
The deal was dependent on Henrikh Mkhitaryan agreeing to move to Arsenal, which he did, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract in north London.
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Having been Arsenal’s talisman for multiple years, Sanchez was given the No 7 shirt at United, but he would go on to have an underwhelming spell at Old Trafford.
Since the same could be said for Mkhitaryan at Arsenal, United In Focus looks back at five reasons why it’s a swap deal both clubs would like to forget.
Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan
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Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan flopped
Both Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger appeared happy with their acquisitions eight years ago, prompting discussions over which manager got the better end of the deal.
Sanchez’s first full season at United was a nightmare. He scored two goals in 27 appearances, so it was only a matter of time before he would be cast aside by Mourinho.
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Meanwhile, after a difficult spell at United, Mkhitaryan continued to struggle at Arsenal despite registering three assists on his first start.
It appeared as though both players had essentially stopped enjoying their football. As a result, they will be remembered as flops at United and Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez’s ridiculous salary package
It was reported at the time that Sanchez’s contract was worth a reported £14 million per year after leaving Arsenal.
To make matters worse, The Telegraph reported at the time that United also paid the Chilean a £20 million signing-on fee while his agent pocketed an extra £10 million.
This suggests that United were convinced Sanchez would be a guaranteed success at Old Trafford. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.
Man Utd’s worst-ever transfer unveiling video
United fans were left red-faced when the club’s media team put together a cringeworthy unveiling video to announce the arrival of Sanchez.
The video in question saw Sanchez playing ‘Glory Glory Man United’ on a piano, but it became a tool for rival fans to mock United and the player.
It wasn’t the first time United went over the top to unveil a signing. English rapper Stormzy was called in for an Adidas-created collaboration to announce Paul Pogba, and we all know how that transfer went.
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Arsenal turned down £60m for Alexis Sanchez
Man City came close to paying £60 million for Sanchez just months before his move to United.
The Arsenal chiefs responsible for that must still be kicking themselves for opting not to push a deal that would have seen Sanchez move to the other side of Manchester.
Arsenal lost their captain in a swap deal, presumably feeling they could have benefited more from City’s money.
Alexis Sanchez scored 5 goals for Man Utd
Sanchez had lost his place in the United line-up within five months, but his situation did not improve after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer succeeded Mourinho.
Inter Milan eventually signed Sanchez on loan before making the deal permanent, meaning he left Old Trafford having only found the net five times across 45 matches in all competitions.
That’s one goal every 555 minutes.
Reflecting on Sanchez’s time at United, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “Sanchez has been an absolute disaster.
“I have no idea what’s happened to him. There must be two of them. The one that’s turned up in Manchester I have no idea who that is.”
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