LONDON: Manchester United have signed Chile forward Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in a deal that sees midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to the London club, the Premier League clubs said on Monday.
The 29-year-old Sanchez, who was out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season, has joined the Old Trafford club after local rivals Manchester City had pulled out of the running.
Sanchez said: “I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn down.
"I am very proud to be the first Chilean player ever to play for United’s first team and I hope I can show our fans all around the world why the club wanted to bring me here."
Sanchez missed Arsenal's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday to have a medical in Manchester on Sunday.
He would have been available on a free transfer when his contract expired in four months' time but once City baulked at the amount of money involved in a mid-season deal, United manager Jose Mourinho urged his club to step in.
“Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world and he will complete our very young and talented group of attacking players," said Mourinho.
"He will bring his ambition, drive and personality, qualities that make a Manchester United player and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club's dimension and prestige."
Sanchez almost joined City at the end of the August transfer window but that deal fell through as Arsenal could not sign a replacement.
He scored 80 goals in 166 appearances after the London club paid £35 million ($48.83 million) for him in July 2014, and won the FA Cup in 2015 and 2017, scoring in both finals.
Missing out on the Champions League this season was a bitter disappointment, however, followed by another blow when Chile failed to qualify for this year's World Cup finals.
A move to either of the Manchester clubs became a preferable option to signing a new contract. Arsenal wanted Mkhitaryan in exchange and the Armenian has joined on a long-term contract.
Arsenal, United complete swap deal for Alexis Sanchez, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Arsenal, United complete swap deal for Alexis Sanchez, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Semifinals’ lineup complete as historic wheelchair tennis debuts at Abu Dhabi Open
- Tauson, Bejlek, Alexandrova and Baptiste secure semifinal spots, while Eala and Tjen advance in doubles
- Crowd favorite Eala exits after straight-sets defeat by Alexandrova
ABU DHABI: Thursday saw a landmark achieved at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open as wheelchair tennis made its groundbreaking debut alongside a decisive quarterfinal sweep that saw Clara Tauson, Sara Bejlek, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Hailey Baptiste advance to the semifinals.
Tauson beat McCartney Kessler in an impressive performance, while Czech qualifier Bejlek dropped just two games to dispatch British No. 2 Sonay Kartal. Alexandrova, the highest seed remaining in the tournament, ended Alexandra Eala’s run in straight sets, before Baptiste overcame Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.
“McCartney played some good tennis, but I also played well,” said Tauson. “She was hitting some very good winners, but I kept my cool, kept fighting and that helped me a lot today. It’s great to be in the semifinals.”
In the doubles semifinal on ADCB Court 1, Eala and Janice Tjen delivered an impressive performance in front of packed crowds to defeat Cristina Bucşa and Shuai Zhang in straight sets.
“We were trying to be aggressive and have fun,” said Eala. “When you have a good relationship with your partner, you’re not afraid to go with your gut. If you make errors, it’s okay because you have that chemistry and you’re willing to try what feels right.”
Away from the main draw action, history was made as the tournament launched its inaugural Mubadala Wheelchair Tennis Invitational presented by the WTA Foundation, becoming the first standalone WTA event to feature wheelchair tennis.
The three-player tournament saw wheelchair tennis legend Jiske Griffioen of the Netherlands defeat Maria Angélica Bernal of Colombia in today’s opening match, securing her place in Saturday’s final against world No. 1 Yui Kamiji of Japan.
Off the court, the day delivered inspiring moments for fans and the community. Wheelchair tennis stars Griffioen, Bernal and Kamiji hosted a clinic with Heroes of Hope — the UAE’s non-profit sports academy — with children welcomed onto the court for an unforgettable experience. Slovak star Tereza Mihalikova spent time with schoolchildren, signing autographs and taking photos, while Bejlek engaged with fans through an exclusive Q&A at the Mubadala Hospitality Pavilion.
Nigel Gupta, tournament director at organizers MARI, said: “Today has been historic for wheelchair tennis. The inaugural invitational has already captured the imagination and having Yui and Jiske heading to Saturday’s final showcases the extraordinary level of this sport. “Alongside that, the quarterfinals produced the kind of brilliant tennis we expect at this level, setting up compelling semifinals matchups tomorrow in both the singles and doubles.”
The semifinals will take place on Friday. On Stadium Court, the doubles semifinal begins at 4 p.m. with Mihalikova and Nicholls facing Eala and Tjen. Baptiste then takes on Alexandrova in a singles semifinal, followed by Bejlek clashing with Tauson. On ADCB Court 1, Sofia Kenin and Desirae Krawczyk battle Alexandrova and Maya Joint in the other doubles semifinal.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final takes place on Saturday, Feb. 7.
