Ince: The Sanchez signing proves United are still miles bigger than City
‘HE CAN LAND THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CROWN’
PAUL INCE claims Alexis Sanchez chose Manchester United because they are “miles bigger” than Manchester City.
He insists the top players are still reluctant to go to the Etihad because their neighbours have more history and are “serial winners”.
And the Reds legend believes signing Sanchez from Arsenal can help bring the Champions League title to Old Trafford this season.
The Chile striker could have joined Pep Guardiola’s runaway Premier League leaders and picked up a medal in May for winning the title.
That he chose not to do so was further evidence for Ince of a lack of belief in City in the long term and that United are still the biggest force in English football.
“Everyone is raving about City,” he said. “But when it comes to the two clubs, Manchester United are miles bigger than City.
“Players would still prefer to go to them over Pep’s side – that’s a fact. Players won’t go to City because they think they’re a bigger, more historic club than United. Because they’re simply not.
“Some might get the quick satisfaction of winning the league this year, but those years of history, and the side that Jose Mourinho is building – players want to be a part of that.
“This signing only confirms that. Sanchez had the opportunity to go into a team where he could have won a trophy. But he didn’t, he chose to go to United because of everything they stand for and that says a lot about the size of the club.
“City have some unbelievable players, but winning the league this year doesn’t mean anything. They need to do that year upon year and collect trophies to compete with United. That’s the true test. They’re not serial winners. United are and that’s why players want to be there.
“With the Champions League around the corner, this is a huge boost. Sanchez hasn’t come to Old Trafford not to play. He’s come to show how good he is, on the top stage, which is Europe. He’s a special player and the sort that doesn’t come around that often, and I’d say United’s hopes of winning their fourth European trophy have just got a lot more likely.”
Sanchez had his choice of City, United and Paris Saint-Germain, while Chelsea were also sniffing around.
But Ince says that when United came in Sanchez was always going to Old Trafford – and that should worry City.
Ince, in an interview with Paddy Power News, added: “We all presumed Sanchez would join Manchester City. There was all this talk about how desperate he was to be reunited with Pep Guardiola from their Barcelona days.
“Suddenly, Manchester United is the destination for him, and that’s a massive statement from the club. He’s one of the best players in the Premier League, and they had a lot of competition to sign him.
“This is their way of saying, ‘Don’t belittle us. We’re still the biggest club in the league and we can get who we want’.
“It seems United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea were all after him. Sanchez choosing United sends a big message to those clubs, especially Man City.”