Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lifted the lid on why Alexis Sanchez was permitted to complete a switch to Inter Milan. The Chilean winger sealed a loan move from the Red Devils this week and will ply his trade with the Nerazzurri for the remainder of the season.
Sanchez's transfer from Arsenal to the Old Trafford outfit did not yield the desired outcome anticipated by the latter and its fanbase with the player recording just five goals in 45 appearances across two years. Ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Southampton, his former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that 31-year-old winger's departure was necessary for his renaissance.
"I think Alexis needed to go," the Norwegian manager declared.
"As we know, he's been here for 18 months and it's not really worked out for him. For him, to restart and get himself playing regularly and scoring goals, that will only benefit everyone.
"For us, we're going to watch every weekend to see Alexis and Romelu [Lukaku] playing together.
Although Sanchez is set to spend the rest of the year at Inter, he will still remain one of Manchester United's hightest-paid players, earning more than even Paul Pogba. As per the arrangement made with Inter, the Red Devils will reportedly pay £300,000 of the Chilean's mammoth £500,000-a-week salary.
We can confirm that Alexis Sanchez joins Inter Milan on loan until 30 June 2020. We wish @Alexis_Sanchez the best of luck in Italy. pic.twitter.com/DdcRQRoEMk
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 29, 2019
Nonetheless, Solskjaer still retains faith that the decision to offload the ex-Arsenal star was the right one as it was in the interest of his side.
"I think it will come good for him," Solskjaer continued.
"We had a decision to make here and I'm trusting Anthony [Martial], Marcus [Rashford] and Mason [Greenwood] to be our centre-forwards.
"We've got wingers in [Tahith] Chong, Dan James, Andreas Pereira - we've got loads of options. For me it's time for our younger boys to feel that pressure and responsibility and be more robust, and to know, 'Okay, I might have to play five games in a row'.
"That's another responsibility and that's something we are looking forward to at this club, and I trust the fitness coaches and medical staff. [Because of] what we've done in pre-season, we are more mentally and physically ready for that challenge. That's the next step for our young players."
