Man Utd star Michael Carrick warns critics over big Alexis Sanchez mistake

MICHAEL CARRICK reckons the critics questioning Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez are making a big mistake.

Posted Tuesday, March 13, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk

Sanchez has struggled to make an impact since joining United from Arsenal in the January transfer window.

The Chilean superstar has failed to produce the football that made him a worldwide sensation and has scored just one goal in nine appearances.

But Carrick is convinced people have been too quick to write him off and that Sanchez will become a legend at Old Trafford.

Carrick said: "He is desperate to do well. He gives everything, he has done it for so many years now, we know exactly what he brings and he will have a great time here.

"I said when he first signed, he is a Manchester United player because he suits the way we play.

"He has got that excitement, he always looks forward, he is dynamic and in the end you can judge him in the first few games or whatever, but I think over time he will be terrific. I have no doubts about it."

Man Utd star Michael Carrick warns critics over big Alexis Sanchez mistake
Man Utd star Alexis Sanchez has struggled for form since joining from Arsenal

While Sanchez is just starting out on his United career, Carrick is coming to the end of his as he heads towards retirement at the end of this season and a position in Jose Mourinho's coaching team.

The veteran midfielder discovered he was suffering from a heart defect earlier this season, persuading him to hang up his boots.

The former England star said: "I had a problem during the Burton game during the second half. I had a few tests after that and the same problem came back on the Sunday of that week in training.

"I had the procedure the following week. It took a little while to get over. There were some times there, for two or three days, when I wondered whether I would carry on playing or not, thinking is it worth it or not?

"But that quickly passed and I got back fit. I wanted to finish on my own terms so I was determined to get back fit. I've been training hard and we'll see what happens for the rest of the season."

In his absence Carrick has seen youngster Scott McTominay come through to establish himself as a midfield star in the making.

The 20-year-old was yesterday picked by Scotland for their upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary after turning down England.

He looks to be the natural successor to Carrick and is expected to line up against Sevilla in tonight's Champions League, last-16, second leg clash at Old Trafford.

Carrick reckons McTominay is a breath of fresh air and said: "He is fantastic.

"He is the next one and we keep producing them as a club, which is incredible, in this day and age when there is so much scrutiny and money and people are clamouring to sign this player and that player.

"He is a great lad, he is a humble lad, he takes everything in which gives him a great chance of improving all the time and he has done that.

"I think it is quite refreshing to look at Scott and see how he deals with it. He goes about his business, he comes in, he is always doing extra in training, he's desperate to do well and he's always looking for those little things to improve on.

Man Utd star Michael Carrick warns critics over big Alexis Sanchez mistake
Man Utd star Michael Carrick has announced he will retire at the end of the season

"All the glitz and the glamour that can surround young players these days, he doesn't seem too interested in that, which is fantastic, especially at this stage of his career.

"It is about making a career. You can't live like you have had a career before you have had a career.

"You've got to earn it, you've got to establish yourself and he's done great so far.

"He's still got some way to go to fully establish himself. It's a big thing to play for this club, but so far he's on a great track, he's given himself the best possible chance to fulfil that."

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Young; McTominay, Matic, Pogba; Rashford, Lingard, Sanchez; Lukaku.
SEVILLA (4-2-3-1): Rico; Navas, Mercado, Lenglet, Escudero; Nzonzi, Banera; Sarabia, Vazquez, Correa; Muriel.
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Holland).
TV: 7.45pm BT Sport 2.