Football mourns death of ‘national hero’ Armfield

2 Captain Jimmy Armfield leads out England alongside Rest of the World skipper Alfredo Di Stefano in 1963. Above, with his OBE. Right, in the colours of his beloved Blackpool. Alexis Sanchez has completed his move to Manchester United from Arsenal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way in one of the most high-profile swap moves of all-time.

The deal was sealed yesterday and United’s new No 7 Sanchez, who missed Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, posted a departing message on Instagram, taking aim at ex-arsenal players that have been critical of him.

Sanchez wrote: “There are people [former club players] who have spoken with no knowledge of what happens inside the club and cause damage. I must say I always gave 100 per cent, until the last day, when I asked to the Mister [Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger] to be in the team, because I wanted to be a contribution.”

Martin Keown, a former Gunners defender, had called Sanchez “the biggest mercenary in football”, reports suggesting the Chilean forward will earn £500,000 a week at Old Trafford.