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Feyenoord return 'beautiful and special' for former Man Utd & Arsenal star Van PersieRobin van Persie has sealed his return to Feyenoord by signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with the reigning Eredivisie champions, prompting technical director Martin van Geel to hail the homecoming as "beautiful and special".
Fenerbahce agreed to cancel Van Persie's contract, allowing the former Arsenal and Manchester United star to re-join the club he left in 2004.The 34-year-old will train with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's squad on Monday, having passed a medical.
"We have always said that Robin is more than welcome at Feyenoord and we are very happy that he now joins the squad," said Van Geel at the signing ceremony.
"It is beautiful and special that after Dirk Kuyt and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, among others, an icon returns to Feyenoord. "With his enormous experience and great qualities as a player he can definitely be of great value to the team." Feyenoord lie fifth in the Eredivsie following a 2-0 defeat to Ajax at the weekend and travel to Utrecht on Wednesday.
'Messi makes football better' - Betis keeper Adan marvels at Barcelona talisman
Lionel Messi makes football better, according to Real Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan, even after the Barcelona superstar piled misery upon him on Sunday.Messi inspired a devastating second-half performance from Barcelona, scoring twice and creating another for Luis Suarez as Ernesto Valverde's La Liga leaders stormed to a 5-0 win at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
The result extended Barca's advantage at the summit over Atletico Madrid to 11 points and Real Madrid youth graduate Adan was left in awe, having mistakenly felt his team-mates might have had Messi under control.
"It's spectacular. In the first half he had not appeared. He seemed to be walking," the 30-year-old told Cadena Ser."But he takes four balls to score two goals and give two assists. He makes this sport better."Betis vice president Lorenzo Serra Ferrer also felt it had been a privilege to witness Messi at his brilliant best.
"Messi deserves that because it is a show, what he has done in the second half," he said. "Not only in attack but claiming balls in their own half of the field. "His humility and ability make him bigger and the public of the Villamarin has been able to appreciate the extraordinary player that is Leo Messi."
Lionel Messi makes football better, according to Real Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan, even after the Barcelona superstar piled misery upon him on Sunday.Messi inspired a devastating second-half performance from Barcelona, scoring twice and creating another for Luis Suarez as Ernesto Valverde's La Liga leaders stormed to a 5-0 win at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
The result extended Barca's advantage at the summit over Atletico Madrid to 11 points and Real Madrid youth graduate Adan was left in awe, having mistakenly felt his team-mates might have had Messi under control.
"It's spectacular. In the first half he had not appeared. He seemed to be walking," the 30-year-old told Cadena Ser."But he takes four balls to score two goals and give two assists. He makes this sport better."Betis vice president Lorenzo Serra Ferrer also felt it had been a privilege to witness Messi at his brilliant best.
"Messi deserves that because it is a show, what he has done in the second half," he said. "Not only in attack but claiming balls in their own half of the field. "His humility and ability make him bigger and the public of the Villamarin has been able to appreciate the extraordinary player that is Leo Messi."
Mahrez ‘more complete’ than in Leicester City's title-winning season, says Puel
Leicester City manager, Claude Puel opines that Riyad Mahrez has become a ‘better’ and a ‘more complete’ player than when Leicester City won the English Premier League title.
The 26-year-old scored 17 top-flight goals to help the King Power Stadium win the 2015–16 Premier League title. Mahrez was also crowned the PFA Player of the Year for his displays that season.
This term, the winger has registered eight league goals and seven assists, with his latest coming in their 2-0 win over Watford.
And the French tactician has insisted that the Algeria international's game has improved, all round."Better? I think he's more complete, he can do more penetration, he is an experienced player and has good maturity," Puel said.
"When he can make penetration or play simple, it's good for him and the team."It was a different play [style], it was a direct play, long ball, and after with Jamie (Vardy) and Riyad they made the difference.
"He can make some penetration like one or two years ago but also he can organise the play with one or two touches and can give assists - he is more complete.
"We saw this on the pitch, he is enjoining his football and this is fantastic.
"It's not a problem for him and it's important he continues his work."
Leicester City manager, Claude Puel opines that Riyad Mahrez has become a ‘better’ and a ‘more complete’ player than when Leicester City won the English Premier League title.
The 26-year-old scored 17 top-flight goals to help the King Power Stadium win the 2015–16 Premier League title. Mahrez was also crowned the PFA Player of the Year for his displays that season.
This term, the winger has registered eight league goals and seven assists, with his latest coming in their 2-0 win over Watford.
And the French tactician has insisted that the Algeria international's game has improved, all round."Better? I think he's more complete, he can do more penetration, he is an experienced player and has good maturity," Puel said.
"When he can make penetration or play simple, it's good for him and the team."It was a different play [style], it was a direct play, long ball, and after with Jamie (Vardy) and Riyad they made the difference.
"He can make some penetration like one or two years ago but also he can organise the play with one or two touches and can give assists - he is more complete.
"We saw this on the pitch, he is enjoining his football and this is fantastic.
"It's not a problem for him and it's important he continues his work."
‘World-class’ Sadio Mane is back, says Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp has showered encomium on Sadio Mane following his recent impressive displays.
The Senegal international has scored two goals this year which includes a ferocious effort against Manchester City as the Reds ended the unbeaten run of Pep Guardiola’s side.And the gaffer is pleased to see the 25-year-old return to his ‘world class’ self.
“At Burnley he scored a fantastic goal but it was not a world-class game of Sadio,” Klopp told club website.
“Since then it has clicked and he is now really back. He works hard, he protects the ball pretty well, no risky dribbling, and he is a world-class player.“The two goals he scored [against Burnley and City], I don’t know a lot of players who could have scored these goals.”
“Of course we had talks. I cannot tell you what I told the player in a one-to-one meeting, but it was about what he did so far.“Good, good, good, good, good. One or two things not that good, but the rest good. So let’s build on that and ignore the rest. That is how life is.
“You cannot think all the time about your mistakes because that makes no sense. You cannot forget all the good things. We are all a bit like that and sometimes people need help to realise again the good situation.“He is in a fantastic situation where everyone loves him in the club. But he played from [the heart] and not from [the head] and nothing really worked out in the end.”
Last month against Everton the former Southampton player failed to set up his teammate for a possible second goal after Mohamed Salah’s opener which left the Reds sharing the spoils with their visitors.
“I like to be honest and I don’t want to say Sadio was brilliant when he wasn’t. Everyone could see that he struggled a bit here, it didn’t look like it was too easy for him,” he continued.“After the Everton game when he didn’t pass the ball, everybody made a big criticism of him.
“I didn’t mention it, to be honest. I didn’t mention it at half-time, I didn’t mention it after the game, it was not mentioned in any meeting because I saw in Sadio’s eyes that if he could turn the clock backwards he would do it.“At that moment he was convinced he would score, he was a striker and a striker has to make a decision. I want him to make these decisions, but sometimes you have to accept that these decisions are wrong.
“I accept it. As long as you don’t do the same in the next 20 similar situations so that people start thinking: ‘What’s that about?’ You cannot play football without mistakes. He didn’t want to do it.“Now he is completely different again.”
Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp has showered encomium on Sadio Mane following his recent impressive displays.
The Senegal international has scored two goals this year which includes a ferocious effort against Manchester City as the Reds ended the unbeaten run of Pep Guardiola’s side.And the gaffer is pleased to see the 25-year-old return to his ‘world class’ self.
“At Burnley he scored a fantastic goal but it was not a world-class game of Sadio,” Klopp told club website.
“Since then it has clicked and he is now really back. He works hard, he protects the ball pretty well, no risky dribbling, and he is a world-class player.“The two goals he scored [against Burnley and City], I don’t know a lot of players who could have scored these goals.”
“Of course we had talks. I cannot tell you what I told the player in a one-to-one meeting, but it was about what he did so far.“Good, good, good, good, good. One or two things not that good, but the rest good. So let’s build on that and ignore the rest. That is how life is.
“You cannot think all the time about your mistakes because that makes no sense. You cannot forget all the good things. We are all a bit like that and sometimes people need help to realise again the good situation.“He is in a fantastic situation where everyone loves him in the club. But he played from [the heart] and not from [the head] and nothing really worked out in the end.”
Last month against Everton the former Southampton player failed to set up his teammate for a possible second goal after Mohamed Salah’s opener which left the Reds sharing the spoils with their visitors.
“I like to be honest and I don’t want to say Sadio was brilliant when he wasn’t. Everyone could see that he struggled a bit here, it didn’t look like it was too easy for him,” he continued.“After the Everton game when he didn’t pass the ball, everybody made a big criticism of him.
“I didn’t mention it, to be honest. I didn’t mention it at half-time, I didn’t mention it after the game, it was not mentioned in any meeting because I saw in Sadio’s eyes that if he could turn the clock backwards he would do it.“At that moment he was convinced he would score, he was a striker and a striker has to make a decision. I want him to make these decisions, but sometimes you have to accept that these decisions are wrong.
“I accept it. As long as you don’t do the same in the next 20 similar situations so that people start thinking: ‘What’s that about?’ You cannot play football without mistakes. He didn’t want to do it.“Now he is completely different again.”
Klopp: I want Liverpool to be a club no one ever leaves
Jurgen Klopp may have seen Philippe Coutinho slip the net, but he intends to make Liverpool a club nobody wants to leave.The Reds reluctantly sanctioned the €160 million sale of a key playmaker to Barcelona after seeing him express a desire to complete a “dream” transfer .
Coutinho is not the first to have left Anfield in pursuit of major honours elsewhere, with Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling having taken similar decisions in recent years.Klopp, though, is determined to restore former glories to the red half of Merseyside and make Liverpool a team everybody wants to be a part of.
The German coach told reporters on the desire to retain top talent: “There are other places with football clubs. Players can want to leave. That can and probably will still happen in the future.
“It is not a big problem, but we can’t let it happen too often. Let me say it like this. We have to make it difficult for them to leave here. “We have to create a situation where players want to stay.”While Klopp is eager to keep his squad together and build on it, he could be about to lose another senior star.
Emre Can is continuing to run down his contract, amid much talk of interest from Serie A champions Juventus , but the German will remain part of the Liverpool set-up until a decision on his future is taken.Klopp said of his fellow countryman: “If Emre plays like he is in the moment – especially with the injury of Hendo [Jordan Henderson] – playing pretty much all the time, which is really difficult.
“For 60, 70 minutes he was outstanding against City. Impressive and stuff like that. We will see what happens. In this age group maybe not all of them are one-club players.”
Jurgen Klopp may have seen Philippe Coutinho slip the net, but he intends to make Liverpool a club nobody wants to leave.The Reds reluctantly sanctioned the €160 million sale of a key playmaker to Barcelona after seeing him express a desire to complete a “dream” transfer .
Coutinho is not the first to have left Anfield in pursuit of major honours elsewhere, with Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling having taken similar decisions in recent years.Klopp, though, is determined to restore former glories to the red half of Merseyside and make Liverpool a team everybody wants to be a part of.
The German coach told reporters on the desire to retain top talent: “There are other places with football clubs. Players can want to leave. That can and probably will still happen in the future.
“It is not a big problem, but we can’t let it happen too often. Let me say it like this. We have to make it difficult for them to leave here. “We have to create a situation where players want to stay.”While Klopp is eager to keep his squad together and build on it, he could be about to lose another senior star.
Emre Can is continuing to run down his contract, amid much talk of interest from Serie A champions Juventus , but the German will remain part of the Liverpool set-up until a decision on his future is taken.Klopp said of his fellow countryman: “If Emre plays like he is in the moment – especially with the injury of Hendo [Jordan Henderson] – playing pretty much all the time, which is really difficult.
“For 60, 70 minutes he was outstanding against City. Impressive and stuff like that. We will see what happens. In this age group maybe not all of them are one-club players.”
Tottenham & Arsenal target Malcom not leaving Bordeaux in January, claims Poyet
New Bordeaux boss Gus Poyet says he has been given assurances that in-demand forward Malcom will not be leaving the club in January.
Goal reported last Friday that Tottenham were the latest Premier League club to have expressed an interest in securing the 20-year-old Brazilian's services.
Arsenal were previously interested in signing Malcom this month, though Arsene Wenger last week ruled out the Gunners moving for him in the January transfer window.
But while a summer move was not ruled out by Wenger, Poyet has put all suitors on notice that the attacker will not be going anywhere this month.
Poyet, who was announced as the successor to the sacked Jocelyn Gourvennec at the weekend, said: "The first thing I asked was if Malcom was staying. I was told yes."I said OK, now we can continue the discussion." Malcom had reignited speculation about his future by expressing a desire to play in the Premier League following Bordeaux's 1-0 victory over Nantes on Saturday.
While Bordeaux president Stephane Martin claimed Monday he has no issue with Malcom declaring an interest in playing in England, it was after he first re-affirmed the former Corinthians ace will be remaining at the club through the winter window.
"It has been said over and over that Malcom will not leave," said Martin.
"He said he wanted to play in the Premier League someday; it's normal – what player would not want to play in England?
"There is no problem with Malcom."Malcom has already matched his output of seven goals and four assists in 33 Ligue 1 games last campaign by scoring seven times and adding five assists in just 19 league games this season, prompting interest from Tottenham and Arsenal.
Mauricio Pochettino, for his part, earlier Monday refused to address the reports linking Malcom to Spurs, telling Sky Sports: "That is a rumour and I don't want to speak about it. "I am happy with our squad. We are open to quality players, but it is difficult in this transfer window."
Meanwhile, Arsenal remain on the hunt for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and are nearing a deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
New Bordeaux boss Gus Poyet says he has been given assurances that in-demand forward Malcom will not be leaving the club in January.
Goal reported last Friday that Tottenham were the latest Premier League club to have expressed an interest in securing the 20-year-old Brazilian's services.
Arsenal were previously interested in signing Malcom this month, though Arsene Wenger last week ruled out the Gunners moving for him in the January transfer window.
But while a summer move was not ruled out by Wenger, Poyet has put all suitors on notice that the attacker will not be going anywhere this month.
Poyet, who was announced as the successor to the sacked Jocelyn Gourvennec at the weekend, said: "The first thing I asked was if Malcom was staying. I was told yes."I said OK, now we can continue the discussion." Malcom had reignited speculation about his future by expressing a desire to play in the Premier League following Bordeaux's 1-0 victory over Nantes on Saturday.
While Bordeaux president Stephane Martin claimed Monday he has no issue with Malcom declaring an interest in playing in England, it was after he first re-affirmed the former Corinthians ace will be remaining at the club through the winter window.
"It has been said over and over that Malcom will not leave," said Martin.
"He said he wanted to play in the Premier League someday; it's normal – what player would not want to play in England?
"There is no problem with Malcom."Malcom has already matched his output of seven goals and four assists in 33 Ligue 1 games last campaign by scoring seven times and adding five assists in just 19 league games this season, prompting interest from Tottenham and Arsenal.
Mauricio Pochettino, for his part, earlier Monday refused to address the reports linking Malcom to Spurs, telling Sky Sports: "That is a rumour and I don't want to speak about it. "I am happy with our squad. We are open to quality players, but it is difficult in this transfer window."
Meanwhile, Arsenal remain on the hunt for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and are nearing a deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Arsenal ace Cazorla aiming to return next year following 10th operation on ankle injury
Arsenal ace Santi Cazorla is aiming to return to action next year after undergoing a 10th operation on an ankle problem which has kept him out of action since 2016.Cazorla, 33, has not featured for the Gunners since sustaining the injury during their 6-0 victory over Ludogorets in the Champions League more than a year ago.
The Spaniard revealed in an interview with Marca last year that a succession of operations and subsequent infections in his right ankle almost led to him needing to have his foot amputated.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger described Cazorla's ankle problem as the “worst” injury he has ever come across during his time in management.However, Cazorla may finally be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel with the midfielder starting to walk without crutches again and he is hopeful of a return soon.
In an interview with Spanish source RTVE, Cazorla said: "There have been moments when I've thought about throwing in the towel. I've thought things like 'maybe it is not worth continuing'. "If things go well, maybe next year I can play at the top level again.
"The last surgery was seven weeks ago, and my tenth in total. The first surgery was risky because I took many corticosteroids and the skin deteriorated.“Then a skin graft was proposed and after that, the infection ate my tendon".Cazorla joined Arsenal from Malaga in 2012 and has won two FA Cups with the north Londoners.
Arsenal ace Santi Cazorla is aiming to return to action next year after undergoing a 10th operation on an ankle problem which has kept him out of action since 2016.Cazorla, 33, has not featured for the Gunners since sustaining the injury during their 6-0 victory over Ludogorets in the Champions League more than a year ago.
The Spaniard revealed in an interview with Marca last year that a succession of operations and subsequent infections in his right ankle almost led to him needing to have his foot amputated.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger described Cazorla's ankle problem as the “worst” injury he has ever come across during his time in management.However, Cazorla may finally be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel with the midfielder starting to walk without crutches again and he is hopeful of a return soon.
In an interview with Spanish source RTVE, Cazorla said: "There have been moments when I've thought about throwing in the towel. I've thought things like 'maybe it is not worth continuing'. "If things go well, maybe next year I can play at the top level again.
"The last surgery was seven weeks ago, and my tenth in total. The first surgery was risky because I took many corticosteroids and the skin deteriorated.“Then a skin graft was proposed and after that, the infection ate my tendon".Cazorla joined Arsenal from Malaga in 2012 and has won two FA Cups with the north Londoners.
Kevin De Bruyne signs new Manchester City deal until 2023
Kevin De Bruyne has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City that will tie him down until 2023, the Premier League club announced Monday.
De Bruyne's previous deal was not due to expire until 2021, but his increasing importance to Pep Guardiola's side has encouraged City to offer him fresh terms.
“As I’ve said previously, my intention has always been to stay here at City, where I’ve felt at home from day one," De Bruyne told CityTV.
“Not only are we winning – we are playing great football. It’s a pleasure to be a part of and I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the coming years.”
The Belgium international signed from Wolfsburg in August 2015 for a reported £55 million and has since established himself as one of the most important figures at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne led the Premier League with 18 assists last season, a number he could well replicate this term having managed 10 in 24 top-flight matches. He has also scored six goals this term, one off his previous Premier League high with the club of seven, set in 2015-16. The playmaker had previously hinted his desire to ink fresh terms with the club and City's director of football Txiki Begiristain is pleased to have concluded the deal.
"Kevin's new deal is great news for our club," Begiristain said.
"He has shown this season how important he is to the team and has been integral in everything we've done so far.
"We are thrilled he has committed his long-term future to Manchester City."De Bruyne won the EFL Cup with City in his first season at the club in 2015-16 and looks set to earn a Premier League crown this year with City 12 points clear of second place local rivals Manchester United.
Kevin De Bruyne has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City that will tie him down until 2023, the Premier League club announced Monday.
De Bruyne's previous deal was not due to expire until 2021, but his increasing importance to Pep Guardiola's side has encouraged City to offer him fresh terms.
“As I’ve said previously, my intention has always been to stay here at City, where I’ve felt at home from day one," De Bruyne told CityTV.
“Not only are we winning – we are playing great football. It’s a pleasure to be a part of and I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the coming years.”
The Belgium international signed from Wolfsburg in August 2015 for a reported £55 million and has since established himself as one of the most important figures at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne led the Premier League with 18 assists last season, a number he could well replicate this term having managed 10 in 24 top-flight matches. He has also scored six goals this term, one off his previous Premier League high with the club of seven, set in 2015-16. The playmaker had previously hinted his desire to ink fresh terms with the club and City's director of football Txiki Begiristain is pleased to have concluded the deal.
"Kevin's new deal is great news for our club," Begiristain said.
"He has shown this season how important he is to the team and has been integral in everything we've done so far.
"We are thrilled he has committed his long-term future to Manchester City."De Bruyne won the EFL Cup with City in his first season at the club in 2015-16 and looks set to earn a Premier League crown this year with City 12 points clear of second place local rivals Manchester United.
Manchester United sign Alexis Sanchez as Mkhitaryan joins Arsenal
Manchester United have completed the transfer of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining the Gunners in a straight player swap with no fees involved.The Chile international looked destined for Manchester City until recently, with the Sky Blues appearing set to wrap up a move for around £20m having originally agreed a £60m fee with Arsenal last summer.
But United stole in with a late approach to secure the signing of Sanchez, who is set to earn a Premier League record of around £350,000 a week, on a four-and-a-half-year deal having allowed his Arsenal contract to run down to its final six months.
“I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world," Sanchez, who takes the club's No.7 shirt, told Man Utd's official website. "I have spent three-and-a-half wonderful years at Arsenal and I bring with me very positive memories of that great club and its fans.
"The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn down. I am very proud to be the first Chilean player ever to play for United’s first team and I hope I can show our fans all around the world why the club wanted to bring me here.”Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho - who got one over his old rival Pep Guardiola at Man City with the signing - praised his new player's impressive attributes and thanked Mkhitaryan for his contribution at Old Trafford.
“Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world and he will complete our very young and talented group of attacking players," the Portuguese said."He will bring his ambition, drive and personality, qualities that make a Manchester United player and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club dimension and prestige.
"I would like to wish Henrikh all the success and happiness that I am sure he is going to get. He is a player that we will not forget, especially for his contribution to our Europa League victory." Mkhitaryan, who successfully sorted out his visa on Monday afternoon along with Sanchez, said it was a "dream" to play for the Gunners.
"I’m very happy that we could finish this deal and I’m very happy to be here," the attacker told Arsenal's official website."It’s a dream come true because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Arsenal. Now that I’m here, I’ll do my best for this club to create history."
Arsenal coach Wenger added: "Henrikh is a very complete player. He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well. I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes."The arrival of Sanchez will be considered a real coup by United after the player had come so close to signing with rivals City, who finally pulled the plug on their own interest in the 29-year-old last Sunday.
Sanchez spent three-and-a-half years at Arsenal, having arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Barcelona in 2014 for around £32m. He previously had spells with Cobreloa, River Plate, Colo Colo and Udinese.
The completion of the transfer comes almost a decade after United's first serious interest in the Chilean while still playing with Udinese in Serie A, and is the first deal to see an Arsenal player leave for Old Trafford since Robin van Persie's high-profile move in 2012.
Mkhitaryan's exit as part of the deal ends the Armenian's 18-month spell at rollercoaster Old Trafford since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016, with the 29-year-old signing with the Gunners until the summer of 2021.
He spent two lengthy periods out of favour under Mourinho but did play a huge part in United's Europa League triumph in 2016-17, scoring the second goal in the 2-0 victory over Ajax in last May's final.
Congratulations & Good Luck for Sanchez & Mkhitaryan!
Wei kiyala hithuwewath nathi deal ekak
Godak watinawa Sanchez wa gattha ekanam
Team ekata godak hoda effect ekak wei Sanchez nisa& Mkhitaryan ta yanna wechcha eka gana nam dukai
ath success ekak wei kiyala hithenawa Arsenal walaThanks for everything Mkhitaryan
Alexis Sanchez: I needed to feel loved
Alexis Sanchez says a desire to feel "important and loved" was behind his move to Manchester United from Arsenal.
The long-anticipated swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan head in the opposite direction was completed on Monday, bringing to a conclusion one of the biggest transfer stories of the January window.
Sanchez took a swipe at his critics in an Instagram post after the deal was announced, singling out the former Arsenal players who had questioned his attitude towards the end of his stay.
And the Chile international says manager Jose Mourinho's efforts to make him feel wanted at United were an important factor in his decision to join the club.
"He indicated it is important for the club for me to be here," Sanchez told MUTV. "I also believe that the club itself cared about me joining, and I got the impression that they were keen for me to come here and wear the number seven shirt.
"I think that also gets through to the player. Players sometimes need to feel important and loved by the club. That was one of the things that attracted me to come here, along with the manager, who is a person who won everything in Italy, the same as he did in Spain, and he's a manager who likes to win."The former Barcelona man has been handed the iconic number seven shirt, and Sanchez is excited by the visions of United's past conjured by his new jersey.
"When they told me that Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Eric] Cantona, David Beckham had all worn it, just thinking about that number seven sets you off dreaming in your head with ideas about lifting the Champions League trophy and winning the Premier League title," he continued. "So yes, I’m fulfilling a dream and I hope to give my very best and win many trophies at this club."
Sanchez was previously heavily linked with a move to United's rivals Manchester City, managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.City ultimately ended their interest in the attacker, but Sanchez hopes to recreate the dressing-room atmosphere from his time in Catalonia as he bids to bring success back to United."I believe that having a family in the dressing room is very important when it comes to winning trophies," he explained.
"I played in Spain and we also had a very good dressing room and I won a lot of things. So I think that in my experience of being in dressing rooms, it's so important to have a really good group.
"I also think that the club always needs to be strengthening and bringing players in, and in this instance that's why I'm here, to work hard for the team, and to try and win everything with them."
Alexis Sanchez says a desire to feel "important and loved" was behind his move to Manchester United from Arsenal.
The long-anticipated swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan head in the opposite direction was completed on Monday, bringing to a conclusion one of the biggest transfer stories of the January window.
Sanchez took a swipe at his critics in an Instagram post after the deal was announced, singling out the former Arsenal players who had questioned his attitude towards the end of his stay.
And the Chile international says manager Jose Mourinho's efforts to make him feel wanted at United were an important factor in his decision to join the club.
"He indicated it is important for the club for me to be here," Sanchez told MUTV. "I also believe that the club itself cared about me joining, and I got the impression that they were keen for me to come here and wear the number seven shirt.
"I think that also gets through to the player. Players sometimes need to feel important and loved by the club. That was one of the things that attracted me to come here, along with the manager, who is a person who won everything in Italy, the same as he did in Spain, and he's a manager who likes to win."The former Barcelona man has been handed the iconic number seven shirt, and Sanchez is excited by the visions of United's past conjured by his new jersey.
"When they told me that Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Eric] Cantona, David Beckham had all worn it, just thinking about that number seven sets you off dreaming in your head with ideas about lifting the Champions League trophy and winning the Premier League title," he continued. "So yes, I’m fulfilling a dream and I hope to give my very best and win many trophies at this club."
Sanchez was previously heavily linked with a move to United's rivals Manchester City, managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.City ultimately ended their interest in the attacker, but Sanchez hopes to recreate the dressing-room atmosphere from his time in Catalonia as he bids to bring success back to United."I believe that having a family in the dressing room is very important when it comes to winning trophies," he explained.
"I played in Spain and we also had a very good dressing room and I won a lot of things. So I think that in my experience of being in dressing rooms, it's so important to have a really good group.
"I also think that the club always needs to be strengthening and bringing players in, and in this instance that's why I'm here, to work hard for the team, and to try and win everything with them."
Wenger: January window 'more disturbing than ever'
Arsene Wenger is pleased to have replaced Alexis Sanchez with another 'world-class' player in Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but admits the January tranfer window has been 'more disturbing than ever'.
Arsenal allowed Sanchez to join Manchester United on Monday to avoid losing the Chile international on a free transfer when his contract expired at the end of the season.The Gunners received Mkhitaryan in exchange, with Wenger confirming the Armenia international has signed a contract running until June 2021.
Adding a dedicated professional to the squad provided some joy for Wenger, although he admits that he will be even more happy with the January window comes to an end.
"The thinking behind the deal is that we have player who has four months contract basically and we move [him] out for free and in exchange we have a player in Mkhitaryan who has a three-and-a-half-year contract," Wenger told Arsenal Player."So first it makes sense on a negotiations point of view and secondly we're replacing a very good player with a very good player, a world-class player with a world-class player. That's what it's about, to keep our strength in the team.
"I'm very excited to get a player in who will be committed and focused. That is of course as well very important, where we go into a very important period in the season where every game is basically a very important game so it's important to have players who are focused.
"I must say this transfer period has been a bit more disturbing than ever in the middle of the season, and I'm quite happy when the period is over."Arsenal have been heavily linked with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Borussia Dortmund claiming the Gunners made a bid over the weekend.
Wenger hopes Mkhitaryan, who scored five goals in 39 Premier League appearances for United, can find the net frequently and add creativity alongside Mesut Ozil, another player whose future at Emirates Stadium is uncertain amid protracted contract negotiations."Mkhitaryan can play on the wing or in midfield, so I believe he can play very well in many positions," said Wenger.
"That can help us as well because he can play together with Ozil as well as playmaker, so overall it's a good move."Maybe where he's a bit short is on goalscoring but he has improved that. If you look at the number of goals he's scored in his career, it's quite impressive overall.
"It is vital as well to have players who have experience, because we have a very good bunch of young players but we know that it's not sufficient in the Premier League today to put them all in together. You also need a good weight of experience in your team and he will contribute to that."
Arsene Wenger is pleased to have replaced Alexis Sanchez with another 'world-class' player in Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but admits the January tranfer window has been 'more disturbing than ever'.
Arsenal allowed Sanchez to join Manchester United on Monday to avoid losing the Chile international on a free transfer when his contract expired at the end of the season.The Gunners received Mkhitaryan in exchange, with Wenger confirming the Armenia international has signed a contract running until June 2021.
Adding a dedicated professional to the squad provided some joy for Wenger, although he admits that he will be even more happy with the January window comes to an end.
"The thinking behind the deal is that we have player who has four months contract basically and we move [him] out for free and in exchange we have a player in Mkhitaryan who has a three-and-a-half-year contract," Wenger told Arsenal Player."So first it makes sense on a negotiations point of view and secondly we're replacing a very good player with a very good player, a world-class player with a world-class player. That's what it's about, to keep our strength in the team.
"I'm very excited to get a player in who will be committed and focused. That is of course as well very important, where we go into a very important period in the season where every game is basically a very important game so it's important to have players who are focused.
"I must say this transfer period has been a bit more disturbing than ever in the middle of the season, and I'm quite happy when the period is over."Arsenal have been heavily linked with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Borussia Dortmund claiming the Gunners made a bid over the weekend.
Wenger hopes Mkhitaryan, who scored five goals in 39 Premier League appearances for United, can find the net frequently and add creativity alongside Mesut Ozil, another player whose future at Emirates Stadium is uncertain amid protracted contract negotiations."Mkhitaryan can play on the wing or in midfield, so I believe he can play very well in many positions," said Wenger.
"That can help us as well because he can play together with Ozil as well as playmaker, so overall it's a good move."Maybe where he's a bit short is on goalscoring but he has improved that. If you look at the number of goals he's scored in his career, it's quite impressive overall.
"It is vital as well to have players who have experience, because we have a very good bunch of young players but we know that it's not sufficient in the Premier League today to put them all in together. You also need a good weight of experience in your team and he will contribute to that."
