Alexis Sanchez Proves He's Still A Footballer With Goal And Red Card On First Inter Start

Alexis Sanchez spent 18 months at Manchester United barely looking like the shadow of a footballer, and certainly not the one he can be, but all that changed in his first start for new club Inter.

The Chilean had a terrible time at Old Trafford after signing from Arsenal in January 2018 and it was clear all summer that he was far from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans this season, eventually following Romelu Lukaku to Italy with Inter, only unlike Lukaku it's only a loan.

Sanchez made appearances off the bench against Udinese and Lazio in the past two weeks but on Saturday got his first start as Inter faced Sampdoria away.

It didn't take long for the 30-year-old to make an impact as he scored Inter's second on 22 minutes, after the opener had hit him on the way to goal but went down as Stefano Sensi's goal.

And the former Udinese winger couldn't keep himself out of the action for long in the game, although this time it wasn't something to celebrate.

Having already picked up a booking in the first half, for a foul on Albin Ekdal, Sanchez was given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card in the 46th minute for diving.

At that point Antonio Conte's side were 2-0 up but now down a player with all but a minute of the second half to go and under pressure to keep their 100% record in tact.

Jakub Jankto did pull one back for the home side nine minutes later but just six minutes later Roberto Gagliardini gave Inter their two goal lead back, a lead they wouldn't again give away, and they ran out 3-1 winners.

If Sensi's goal does get changed to a Sanchez goal, which it may, then the on loan forward will have more league goals in one start than he managed in the entirety of last season for United.

At one point he was in the conversation to being one of the best players in the world. For the past 18 months Alexis Sanchez has barely seemed like a footballer, finally he reminded everyone that's exactly what he is, for good and bad reasons.

Topics: Football News, Manchester United, Serie A, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Juventus, Arsenal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Inter, Italy, Antonio Conte

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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