Alexis Sanchez revealed he wanted to leave Manchester United after one training session following his move from Arsenal in 2018.
The Chilean endured a nightmare spell at Old Trafford, despite the Red Devils paying him around £560,000-a-week. He scored just five goals in 45 matches before moving to Inter Milan on loan for the 2019-20 season, a move which he made permanent last summer.
And the 31-year-old, who confirmed he had an offer to join Manchester City before moving to United, revealed that he asked to move back to former club Arsenal after just one day of training under Jose Mourinho.
In a shocking Instagram video, Sanchez said: 'I want to tell you about my period at United, about many things that were said and that made me look bad.
'I got the opportunity to go to United and it seemed tempting to me. It was something nice for me, because when I was a kid I liked that club a lot.
'I ended up signing without much information about what was happening in the move. The first days that I was with my colleagues, sometimes there are things that you do not realize until you arrive.
The first training I had I realized many things. home and I told my representative: 'Can't the contract be terminated to return to Arsenal?'
'They start laughing and I told them that something did not sit right with me. It had already been signed.'
Sanchez recalled one moment at Manchester United when he was left out of the matchday squad by Mourinho for a game against West Ham in September 2018.
It was an incredible fall from grace for the Chilean winger, who just nine months ago was one of the most dangerous attacking players in England's top-flight while at Arsenal.
The Chilean said: 'In a game with West Ham I wasn't picked. That had never happened to me as a player. It bothered me and I said it couldn't be possible.
'To go from being one of the best in the Premier League to not playingin five months. I came to my house and I was very sad. The next day I trained in a double shift, because I love what I do.'
Manchester United lost the West Ham game 3-1 and Mourinho was sacked just months later with the Red Devils languishing in mid-table. Sanchez then took the opportunity to speak to his successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, about a move away.
Sanchez added: 'Then the next coach arrived, the current one, and I decided to talk to him. I told him that I needed to take a breather, and the opportunity to go to Inter. He told me that yes, there was no problem.'
The winger, who scored 80 goals in 166 matches at Arsenal before moving to Old Trafford in a swap for Henrikh Mhkitaryan in January 2018, admitted the comments made by certain media outlets made him angry during his time at Old Trafford.
He said: 'Journalists spoke without knowing and it bothered me, it hurt. Former players spoke who had no idea of anything that was happening inside the club and gave their opinion damaging you, that it was your fault.
'Since they had to blame one, they blamed me.'
Sanchez ended the video by revealing he wanted his time at Manchester United to work out, but he has grown from the situation.
'I only have words of thanks to United for giving me the opportunity to defend the shirt,' said Sanchez. 'It bothered me that things did not go the way I wanted.
'If the atmosphere had been more positive, it would have turned out differently. I tell it all now because I have already passed a period of learning as a player and a person. I would have liked to win everything.'
Biaabdnopt
545
Maybe if he joins when Ole first came in, he wouldn't be so bad, he was on form when he came in a strict Mourinho's era, when Ole came, he was already feeling down I guess, he just need freedom for his football I think
Kkrexuke
463
Too bad, he came when mourinho was in charge. Imagine mourinho staying till the end of his contract at utd, he wanted to sell pogba, martial and he dislike Shaw. All these were our best performers last season. Now he wants to purge Ndombele at spurs isn't it?
deveshmagotra
430
After criticising Man United in the entire interview, in the end he says 'I only have words of thanks to United'. Common Alexis🤣🤣🤣
Maybcnost
296
If Alexis is looking for our sympathy then he must find it somewhere else...at his age, he is just realizing that money and 'fame' can't give one peace and satisfaction...were we not told that he said that Manchester United were better than the Arsenal...moneywise...maybe. But when it comes to family, genuine show of loving a player, Alexis did got that at the Emirate...let him swallow his regrets...
segments
267
the grass always look greener on the other side until you get there to discover the reality.
che8
11
After criticising Man United in the entire interview, in the end he says 'I only have words of thanks to United'. Common Alexis🤣🤣🤣
I think the thanks is for the money earned [Crylaugh]