Alexis Sanchez believes he would have won the Champions League with Manchester City if he turned down Manchester United, claiming he would have "done something" in a final.
Sanchez, 34, joined the Red Devils from Arsenal in January 2018 after rejecting the chance to sign for Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. The Chile international was expected to join City and surprised English football when he accepted an offer from United instead.
Sanchez endured a difficult 18-month spell at Old Trafford before joining Inter Milan, initially on loan, in August 2019. The forward insists he does not regret choosing United over City, but his Champions League quip suggests a gulf in quality between the two teams. United have not reached the semi-finals of UEFA's premier club competition since 2011.
"I was about to go to City," said Sanchez, as quoted by La Tercera. "I spoke to Guardiola every day, he told me happy birthday. He was like my dad, He was my dad at Barcelona and he was like my dad at City. We talked, we talked every day, he sent me messages.
"And everything was ready, there was a player who was going to go to Arsenal. Then [Arsenal manager Arsene] Wenger tells me you are not leaving because the other player did not want to come and they do not have another."
At the time, Sanchez was 29 and regarded as one of the best forwards in the Premier League. His previous clubs included Udinese, River Plate and Barcelona, while he scored 38 goals in all competitions during his final 18 months at the Emirates.
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The two-time FA Cup winner's record at international level was even better. He was part of the Chile side that won the Copa America twice in consecutive years - beating Argentina and Lionel Messi in both finals. To date, Sanchez has won 152 senior caps.
As such, City's and United's interest in Sanchez was unsurprising. The former side were the favourites to sign him due to his pre-existing relationship with Guardiola. City were also storming towards the Premier League title, eventually picking up 100 points.
Yet United, who were under the management of Jose Mourinho at the time, persuaded him to move to Old Trafford. Sanchez added, "Suddenly the cell phone rings. Mourinho tells me, 'Alexis, here is the [number] seven available for you'.
"It wasn’t a money thing, so everyone knows. It was the same with United and City. And he said to me here is the seven, we are playing in the Champions League and we are going to give everything. I wanted to leave at that moment, but I had Guardiola’s word.
"That’s when I said to myself, Chilean footballer playing for Manchester United, something that has never happened. With the seven of [Eric] Cantona, [David] Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and now a Chilean had it, it was a dream.
"I don’t regret going to United, things happen for a reason. I would have liked to have gone to City, yes. We would have won the Champions League by now [something City have failed to achieve]. In the final I would have done something."
Sanchez's time at Old Trafford did not go to plan. He scored just five goals in 45 appearances and failed to win silverware. The Chilean has since played for Inter - where he won three trophies, including the Serie A title - and joined Marseille last summer. Sanchez is enjoying a solid season in France - scoring 16 goals in all competitions.
