OUR WISE MEN ON SANCHEZ’S OLD TRAFFORD SWITCH:
Jose’s predictables are a stodgy watch
ALEXIS SANCHEZ did not need to watch this game to know what he has signed up for at Manchester United.
The moment Sanchez and his advisers opted for United over Manchester City, they were fully aware of what playing for Jose Mourinho entails.
It will not be the free-flowing football he is leaving behind at Arsenal or could have expected to play if he joined his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at City.
Mourinho’s success in football has come playing a certain way, and Sanchez will have to buy into that while trying to light up this United team in return for his £600,000 per week.
Mourinho turns 55 on Friday, when he will spend his birthday sat in the dugout at Yeovil Town for the FA Cup tie, and he is not about to change now.
As Sanchez was preparing to head north to have a medical to conclude the transfer saga of the season, United were providing another obdurate demonstration of their manager’s philosophy at a chilly Turf Moor.
They took nearly an hour to muster a shot on target, although it proved to be a wonderful effort from Anthony Martial that won this contest as the 22-year-old Frenchman scored for the third Premier League game in a row.
The only other time United tested Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope was Martial’s second attempt in the 88th minute.
At the other end, Mourinho’s side completed a fifth successive shutout after weathering a late onslaught. They have not conceded since a 2-2 draw with Burnley in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
It is a commendable effort but not what Sanchez is used to. Henrikh Mkhitaryan struggled to adjust to Mourinho’s style, but it’s hoped that the more industrious Chilean will be a better fit.
‘He’s a top player,’ said Sean Dyche before pointing out the financial chasm between Burnley and United. ‘There’s a
massive gulf and it will continue to get bigger if the money keeps piling into the top six or so clubs. United are a different model, a whole different ball game to what we are here. 'It was a fantastic finish from Martial and sometimes you have to hold your hands up to moments of sheer quality. There’s often a reason why those footballers Move to Man United for £30million.’ While Martial is rising to the challenge posed by Sanchez’s arrival, Juan Mata is the man most Likely to make way. The Spaniard was Below par at Turf Moor and the first to be substituted at the end of a week in which it emerged that United have yet to exercise the 12-month option on his contract that runs out in the summer. Marcus Rashford, a late substitute here, also looks short of his best and will need to raise his game in the weeks ahead.
Mourinho was thankful for another strong defensive effort as Burnley hit the bar through Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s free-kick but struggled to worry David de Gea until a late surge as Dyche threw on Sam Vokes.
‘We were desperate to kill the game because we knew what would happen,’ said Mourinho, who has given his players two days off.
‘The players knew it, that Vokes was coming, the direct football was becoming more intense, and then we had to defend in a very brave way.’
No one was more resolute than Phil Jones as United made it five wins in an unbeaten run of eight league games.
‘The character and determination we showed, the willingness to fight and close down was terrific,’ said Jones. ‘When you come to a place like this, that is exactly what you have to do.
‘There is always that little feeling in the back of your mind that they could score any minute — they could get a little ricochet and it goes in — but it wasn’t to be.’
United remain 12 points behind City but they have not completely given up hope that the Premier League leaders could still stumble down the final straight of the title race.
‘There’s still a big points gap and we just need to make sure we win our games because if we don’t then there’s no point even talking about it,’ said Chris Smalling.
‘We’ve all been there where leads have dwindled and teams have been caught. If we can be in with a shout towards the end of the season, that’s when nerves can creep in.’
Burnley, meanwhile, are without a win in eight games following a difficult run of fixtures. They have started the year with four defeats for the first time since 1987.
Dyche has nine days to prepare for the trip to Newcastle. ‘Our job is to keep moving this club forward and I think we are,’ he said.
‘We are not just hanging in, we are taking the game on and I’m really pleased with that.’