Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs insists there is no cause for concern in Alexis Sanchez’s slow start to life at Old Trafford.
The Chilean international has scored just one goal in seven appearances, bundling in the rebound from his own missed penalty in a 2-0 win over Huddersfield, since joining from Arsenal in a January swap deal that sent Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the opposite direction.
Sanchez has also provided assists in FA Cup victories over Yeovil and Huddersfield but so far has looked more like the player who struggled in his final months at Arsenal than the one who set the Premier League alight in his first and third seasons in north London.
But Giggs has no doubt that once he settles into Jose Mourinho’s system Sanchez will shine again.
“He’s a top player, he’s scored one goal so far so I’m sure he’d want to do better than that,” Giggs said.
“I think his team-mates are still trying to find out what he likes, what he doesn’t like, you know the dynamics of the team.
“Sometimes players fit straight away, sometimes it takes a bit of time. I don’t think anyone should be worried about Alexis Sanchez, he’s a top, top player.”
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Sanchez showed some signs of improvement in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford, a win that gave Manchester United a six point cushion over the Blues and fifth-place.
“More or less that secured that top four place,” the Wales manager Giggs said of the victory. “But it changes all the time, you know, they’ve got Liverpool in a couple of weeks, that’s again, a big game.
“But they’re looking good. I think if they secure top four, if they have a good run in the Champions League and win the FA Cup, it’s a good season. It’s a step forward again from last year.
“I think everyone accepts how difficult it is with [Manchester] City performing so well this year.
“Obviously every United fan will be hoping that we challenge for the league a little better than this year.”
