Was it a turning point? As Old Trafford erupted and the Manchester United players wheeled away in celebration, it certainly felt like one. After being 2-0 down inside 20 minutes against Newcastle, the Red Devils had drawn level and, after a hatful of chances had gone begging, Alexis Sanchez finally grabbed the winner with seconds of normal time to go. For a moment, those in the ground were transported back to the halcyon days of the Fergie-time goals for which Sir Alex’s teams were so famous. The immediate sense was that this could be a huge moment for United, for their manager Jose Mourinho and, most visibly, for the man who had put the ball into the net; the spark they all need to relight their fires. There has undoubtedly been disease at United this season, and while Mourinho’s post-game comments about a “manhunt” may be a little strong, it does feel as if little else has been spoken about in recent weeks. Whether the relationship between Mourinho and Paul Pogba, the lack of signings or the incompetence of the club directors is the root of the sickness, it is Sanchez who has truly embodied the symptoms. Lethargy, a lack of creativity and directness, a shortage of urgency; things that are not often associated with this club or its best-paid player.

Shadow of His Arsenal Self

It was telling that he did not start against Newcastle on Saturday. The Chilean had been in the team for the 0-0 draw with Valencia midweek, but for the previous weekend’s loss to West Ham, he did not even make the matchday squad. Inevitably, rumours swirled about a bust-up over Sanchez’s lack of tactical discipline. Last week, ex-Old Trafford stalwart Gary Neville said that Sanchez looks a “shadow of the player who Arsenal had”, and that observing the forward’s current predicament made him feel “sad”. Indeed, it has at points been difficult to watch a player who was once so full of energy and excitement struggle so badly. He has managed just four goals in 25 appearances so far for his current employers and has never looked comfortable at the club he said it was his “dream” to join. When searching for reasons for his malaise, one cannot help but look at the manager. Mourinho requires his players to stick to a strict set of instructions and often his wingers are seen acting almost as supplementary full-backs. Sanchez has always been a free-spirited footballer, one who plays at his own break-neck speed and chooses where and when to apply himself.