Alexis Sanchez remains “a fantastic player” and is no Manchester United flop, says Wes Brown, with it up to the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to do more to dislodge the Chilean.
Having invested heavily in a January addition from Arsenal, the Red Devils have kept faith with their high-profile signing through a testing start to life at Old Trafford.
Sanchez struggled to deliver during his debut campaign, netting three times in 18 appearances to see questions asked of his value to Jose Mourinho’s system.
Brown, though, believes class will shine through for a proven performer and that he will prove his worth in time.
The former United defender told the Daily Star: “I don’t think it’s not working.
“We all have faith in him, he was a fantastic player at Arsenal, he got bought in January.
“It takes a while to settle in and after one game I don’t think you can really say that. But you know he’s a fantastic talent and I’m sure he’ll be getting better all the time.”
Sanchez’s arrival during the winter window impacted on a number of those already at Old Trafford, with game time having to be shared around.
Martial is among those to have missed out more than most, leading to the Frenchman being heavily linked with a move elsewhere.
Brown said of the 22-year-old forward: “I like Martial, I really do. I know he didn’t get much game time last season but he’s a player that if I was playing against he’s just a pure threat with his speed.
“He’s a player that United have who definitely can change a game and hopefully he can get in the team.
“Players will be fighting for positions and in that area there’s a good battle going on. They’ve got fantastic players.”
England international Rashford is another of those competing for starting berths, with the 20-year-old being challenged to prove to Mourinho that he can be indispensable.
Brown added: “I like Rashford, complete threat I would call it. I’d hate to play against him.
“I think he’s going to get better every year now, same with [Jesse] Lingard.
“They’re all sort of the same position and that’s what I mean, they’ve got to prove it, they’ve got to prove it in training, prove it to the manager and then do it in the games.
“And I’m guessing that that’s what it’ll come down to at the end of the day.”
United, who opened their 2018-19 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Leicester, are back in Premier League action on Sunday away at Brighton.
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