ATTACK Reds need a big season from Sanchez ATTACK Front men must help take burden from Lukaku ATTACK If Rom stays fit he’ll score 30 goals this season
ALEXIS SANCHEZ must show why Manchester United were prepared to break the bank for him, according to Old Trafford legend Bryan Robson.
United beat Manchester City to land Sanchez from Arsenal in January by agreeing to make him their highestpaid player on £350,000 a week. But the striker has so far failed to justify his huge wages, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan – who went the other way in a swap move – having racked up more goals and assists since the deal was concluded eight months ago.
Against that backdrop, Robson admits this a huge season for the 29-year-old, who has to prove his worth and show United did not blunder in signing the Chile international.
“Sanchez is a top-class player,” said Robson. “But we haven’t seen the best of him at Manchester United so far.
“I’m sure he’ll get to the top of his game. This summer was the first summer he’s had off for several years, and that should do him good.
“Sometimes, though, when you have a free summer and a fair few weeks off, it can take a little bit more time to come back really sharp and to get into the season.
“These first few games are maybe just what he needs to sharpen him up and then hopefully we’ll see the best of him for the rest of the season.”
Sanchez has been left out of the Chile squad for upcoming games against Japan and South Korea, so can have no excuse for not being at his best when United travel to in-form Watford a week on Saturday.
But it is not just Sanchez who needs to produce on a consistent basis if United are to have a crack at the title and be pushing for success in other competitions under
Jose Mourinho, warns Robson. The likes of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial (right) and Marcus Rashford need to be finding the net to support Romelu Lukaku.
“It’s also a matter of Sanchez, Lingard, Martial and Rashford all getting into double figures this season, if we’re really going to challenge for the title,” said Robson.
“Lingard did well in terms of goals last season, getting into double figures, and it can’t all fall on Lukaku.
“There are going to be periods in the season when he goes through that barren spell and doesn’t score.
“When that happens, there have to be other people there who can score for United if we’re going to be challenging for trophies.”
Lukaku’s two goals against Burnley took his tally to three in four games, but he admitted he should have had a hattrick at least after spurning several chances.
Robson, though, is not worried by Lukaku’s patchy finishing and is convinced the £75million striker – who scored 27 times last season – can surpass that this term.
“I think the main thing for Lukaku is to keep getting into those goalscoring positions,” said Robson. “You go through periods where you will score a lot of goals and a striker will go through a barren patch for a few games. “But with Rom, he just needs to keep getting into those positions he managed at the weekend and he will get goals. “The one thing that’s guaranteed, as long as he stays free of injury, is he will get up to the 30-goal mark again this season.” The win at Burnley followed successive defeats to Brighton and Spurs, and Robson (below) underlined the importance of putting together an unbeaten run.
“At the moment it’s about getting a settled team and not having so many changes, just so the lads can develop an understanding and get a few good results under their belts,” he said .
“Jose will want to build on the Burnley game, try to get as settled a side as he can, but it’s up to the players. They have to go out and play well, to make sure the manager can stick with the same group of players. It’s up to them.”