UK Edition
Manchester United heaps praise on 'tough guy' Alexis Sanchez following winning debut against Yeovil Town
Jose Mourinho praised Alexis Sanchez’s “tough guy” attitude during a Manchester United debut in a 4-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Yeovil Town in which the Chilean was subjected to more than one foul by the unforgiving League Two side.
Mourinho, who substituted Sanchez with 19 minutes left, suggested that a first half foul by Yeovil defender Nathan Smith warranted a red card but he understood why referee Paul Tierney did not want to give it at a packed Huish Park.
Sanchez got assists for the first two goals for Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera, before substitutes Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku added two more late on. Mourinho said: “I’m very happy [with Sanchez’s performance]. No surprise for anyone.
“Three years in the Premier League playing every week, everyone knows what Alexis is. You don’t think about adaptation or something like that in relation to English football, so no surprise for us. Fantastic player. He showed that for us and did for the past three days training with us. Amazing addition for us.
“He needed to play. He hadn’t played for Arsenal in the last two or three matches. His training was not good when you have half of your body in the Emirates and half in Manchester.
“So he needed to train well. He needed to play. I wasn’t sure about 90 minutes. I wanted 60 or 75 minutes, and it was good. People start to understand his game better, and he can start to understand better the way his fellow players do.
“I was impressed with his attitude. I did my job well and told the players they should be ready for that [heavy tackles] and never react because sometimes the top players lose their head and balance in these matches, and then can be punished. I understand the decision not to show the red card because this is a special day, and 10 against 11 in that moment is game over. So I understand Paul’s decision.
“We love the FA Cup and to come to these stadiums, but the players need protection. Alexis is a tough guy and he knew what to expect. I’m happy with everything he did.”