This transfer window has been a slow burner as far as Manchester United fans are concerned.

Daniel James remains the club's sole addition following his arrival from Swansea City while, Ander Herrera aside, there have been no significant departures.

Question marks remain over the futures of several high-profile players, including Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, David de Gea and Alexis Sanchez.

Pogba is on Real Madrid's radar, Lukaku wants to join Inter Milan and De Gea will soon enter the final year of his United contract.

Sanchez's circumstances are different in that he isn't wanted by another top club and he has three years left on his Old Trafford deal.


United's conundrum, though, is that the Chilean has been so bad during his 18 months at the club that moving him on in whichever way possible looks like it might be the best option.

Here, the MEN's reporters have given their verdict on how United should approach the situation...

Tyrone Marshall

It's hard to see a long-term future for Alexis Sanchez at Old Trafford, but United's difficulty is in finding a club willing to take him off their hands.

The fact he still has three years remaining on a contract worth almost £400,000 a week means United could find themselves lumbered with him. He hasn't come close to justifying that outlay in the 18 months he's been at the club and his downward spiral is beginning to look permanent.

United could be tempted to subsidise some of those wages if a club comes in for him, even on a permanent or loan move.

Perhaps the next couple of weeks could be crucial, for Sanchez and United. While his nightmare has unfolded at Old Trafford, he has retained some semblance of form for Chile, scoring in his last two internationals. Chile begin their Copa America campaign on Monday and if Sanchez enjoys a productive tournament in Brazil, it might convince a club to give him another chance.

Charlotte Duncker

It's a hard one with Alexis Sanchez because the best option would be for United to sell him. Things haven't gone to plan for the Chilean since his arrival from Arsenal and there have been so many opportunities for him to have a 'turning point' that it's time to park it as something that just didn't work.

The 30-year-old could still have an impact somewhere but it looks like it's never going to work out at Old Trafford. The problem United face, however, is that he has another three years left on his contract and his huge wages mean it's going to be verging on impossible to sell him.


The former Arsenal man would either likely have to agree to a big wage cut or United could end up having to agree to still pay some of his wages in order to push a move through.

So, without a suitable buyer where United don't need to pay his wages as part of a deal, the attacker may as well stay a part of the squad on the small chance that things finally click for him at United.

Liam Corless

It is imperative that United shift Sanchez this summer, by any means necessary.

In 18 months at the club he has impressed just twice, against Tottenham and Manchester City in 2018, and he cannot be afforded further opportunities next season.


No big clubs will buy him, few will see the merits in loaning him, leaving a settlement agreement as the only realistic option for United if they want to get shot this summer.

It will likely take an offer of tens of millions to convince Sanchez to walk but United need to cut their losses as they attempt to move into a new era.