MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Jose Mourinho admits he has not got the best out of Alexis Sanchez since his January transfer because the former Arsenal forward moved to Manchester United at the “wrong” time.
Sanchez was signed in a swap deal that reportedly made him the Premier League’s best-paid player but the Chile international has scored just one goal in eight United appearances, well below his career strike rate.
Mourinho, whose team take on Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday, believes it will be next season before the 29-year-old shows his best form.
“What is wrong is that he came at the worst moment of the season, in the winter market,” said the Manchester United boss. “That’s why I don’t like the winter market very much.
“I think this was a chance that we didn’t want to lose and we made. But we don’t believe a lot in the winter market.
“And for sure next season will be better for him. But of course he is learning how to play with us and we are learning how to get the best out of him.”
Pundits have suggested integrating Sanchez in mid-season has had an adverse effect on the form of teammates, in particular midfielder Paul Pogba.
But despite the obvious teething problems, Mourinho does not see Sanchez as a weakness in the United team.
“No. That’s something that we can develop and we’re going to develop with time, with experience and living these experiences together,” said the manager.
“I don’t consider that a weakness, I consider that a huge potential to be developed.
“He’s fit and if he is trying too hard, that’s great. He is not afraid to take responsibilities, not afraid to try things.”
Sanchez’s eight appearances have included two defeats, at Tottenham and Newcastle, which all but ended United’s lingering hopes of challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title.
But despite an underwhelming start to Sanchez’s United career, Mourinho said the player remains happy.
“He’s fine,” said the United boss. “He’s happy that the team is getting results — lately he was unhappy when we lost matches with him but he’s a guy with great maturity and attitude and we couldn’t be happier.”
United’s eagerly awaited league encounter with rivals Liverpool comes with both clubs chasing second spot behind champions-elect City.
And, at the start of a week in which Mourinho is also looking to progress in the Champions League and FA Cup, the United manager believes he and opposite number Jurgen Klopp are at similar stages in terms of developing their clubs.
“They have qualities and they have weaknesses,” he said. “We have qualities, and we have weaknesses.
“And one of my good qualities as coach was always to know my team’s weaknesses very well and sometimes I tried to hide them and sometimes I have to try to compensate them with other things.
“But we are very similar in terms of points in the Premier League. Liverpool have already qualified for the (Champions League) quarter-final and we still have 90 minutes or two hours of a big fight to try to be there.”
Alexis Sanchez yet to shine at Manchester United, admits Jose Mourinho
Alexis Sanchez yet to shine at Manchester United, admits Jose Mourinho
Dubai Basketball edge Milan to secure EuroLeague victory
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball strengthened their home-court reputation with a 99-92 win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 18 of the EuroLeague at Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday, cheered on by more than 5,000 fans.
The hosts made a fast start and immediately imposed themselves at both ends of the floor. Canadian center Mfiondu Kabengele and Serbian big man Filip Petrusev controlled the paint early, creating close-range scoring opportunities and forcing Milan into defensive adjustments. With McKinley Wright IV and Dwayne Bacon adding pace and penetration, Dubai surged into a double-digit lead and dictated the tempo of the opening quarter.
Milan struggled to settle and spent much of the first period on the back foot, as Dubai’s advantage stretched to 15 points. Although the visitors steadied themselves as the quarter progressed, the early deficit proved costly.
Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac praised the impact of the home crowd after the game, saying: “Congratulations to the fans. We were missing them for sure in the last home game, and they helped us a lot. In the first quarter, we played one of our best quarters this season. The next game is at home in three days, so there is no time to rest too much. We need to prepare for that game first. We are not thinking three games ahead — we prepare for every game and try to win every game.”
Milan showed improved rhythm in the second quarter, but Dubai responded before the break. Bacon punished defensive lapses from beyond the arc, while Kabengele finished strongly inside to help the hosts take a seven-point lead into halftime.
The final period was defined by composure rather than flair. Milan threatened to draw level on several occasions, but missed free throws and execution errors halted their momentum. Bacon sealed the outcome from the free-throw line in the final two minutes, pushing Dubai back into a double-digit advantage and closing out the contest.
Bacon led all scorers with 25 points, while Wright recorded 19 points and nine assists. Kabengele added 17 points, and Petrusev contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. For Milan, Guduric topped the scoring with 11 points, alongside seven rebounds and seven assists.
Dubai Basketball now turn their attention to the ABA League, where they remain unbeaten. The team return to Coca-Cola Arena to face Slovenia’s KRKA in Round 12 of the competition.
