MATCH PREVIEW: Pages 44-45
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has vowed to squeeze the best out of Alexis Sanchez, humorously comparing the misfiring Chilean to a bottle of tomato ketchup.
Sanchez has scored just five United goals since his arrival from Arsenal in January of last year and was widely criticised for his display against Paris Saint-Germain last Tuesday.
The 30-year-old replaced Jes- se Lingard at the end of the first half but was ineffective, failing to register a shot, dribble, cross or key pass as United fell to a 2-0 defeat.
After the final whistle, Solskjaer told Sanchez that he needs to “find himself ” at United and take responsibility for his performances. The United caretaker suggested much the same while previewing tonight’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea, claiming that all he and his staff can do is encourage the player.
“I think he’s a very good player,” Solskjaer said of Sanchez (below). “He’s very talented, but of course there’s only so many things you can sit down and talk about and tweak.
“You saw against Fulham when he gets his chance — he is so sharp in and around the ball, he wins the ball, his energy.
“If he could just get that goal I’m sure that would release his confidence. That’s what it’s about when you go through periods when you don’t perform up to your standard because we know there is a very, very good player there. It’s one of those things.
“You know that bottle of ketchup when it never comes? But when it suddenly comes, there’s loads.”
Sanchez has made just three starts under Solskjaer to date, a fact the United caretaker puts down to injuries, and he is confident that the player is close to a return to form.
“He’s a man of 30, but he can still play for many, many years,” Solskjaer said.
“He’s been here for a year, I’ve been here for two months with him and he’s been injured for the first part of it so it’s unfair to just expect him to be at the top straight away.
“I’m sure we’ll see the best of him before the end of the season.” FORMER Linfield manager Warren Feeney will make a shock Irish League return tomorrow when he officially signs a contract to become the new boss of Premiership basement side Ards.
Having missed out on the Cliftonville job to Paddy McLaughlin two weeks ago, Feeney held weekend discussions with Ards chairman Brian Adams.
Has accepted an offer in principle to replace Colin Nixon, who was sacked following Friday night’s 3-0 defeat to Institute, which left the north Down side three points adrift at the bottom of the table.
The Belfast Telegraph understands that, late last night, the terms of his contract were still being agreed and Ards may have been premature in confirming his appointment on social media with club chairman Adams saying: “We are delighted that Warren has agreed to take over until the end of the season.”
Feeney is expected to fly in tomorrow to sign a deal until the end of the season. It is understood the 46-times capped former Northern Ireland striker (above) has been chosen ahead of former Glentoran supremo Gary Haveron and vastly experienced Kenny Shiels.
Feeney has only nine league games left to secure Ards’ topflight status — a massive task as the club have only won three out of 29 league games this season.
After succeeding the hugely successful David Jeffrey at Linfield, Feeney subsequently moved on to become Newport County’s assistant boss in October 2015, bringing the curtain down on his 18-month spell at Windsor Park with the Blues top of the table.
Feeney, who is in the process of moving his family back to Northern Ireland, will be plunged straight into a crucial relegation battle against Newry City on Saturday.