DANNY MURPHY has set aside his Liverpool predisposition and conceded he trusts Alexis Sanchez can lead Manchester United to FA Cup victory against Chelsea.
Sanchez was named among the substitutes for the fifth round conflict at Stamford Bridge.
The forward has scored quite recently twice all season and began three times since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became interim boss in December.
Prior to hearing the group news, Murphy said the most ideal route for Sanchez to discover the structure he appeared at Arsenal is by giving him a standard spot in the United beginning XI.
What’s more, he trusts the Chilean can play a starring role against Chelsea, regardless of whether it is currently just going to be from the substitutes seat.
“First and foremost, he’s obviously not hit the heights that he did at Arsenal, we know that and we can’t argue that.
“But post-[Jose] Mourinho, since Solskjaer has come in and brought back the free-flowing, express yourself, old school Manchester United football, he’s only started three games.
“Now there are a couple of injuries, if you give him six to ten games, put your arm around him and let him go, you could have one hell of a player from now until the end of the season.
“In four years at Arsenal, his goal record was one-in-two. He was the only wide player in the Premier League with that goal record, miles ahead of Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, even Eden Hazard over his four years.
“He’s fourth in terms of total goals and assists [from current players] in the Premier League.
“He’s played 148 games and his goal involvement is 94, only behind Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku.
“You don’t lose that ability. You don’t lose that skill, that creativity.
“He looks fit enough, he looks sharp enough, I think it’s a confidence thing. He admitted he lost a bit of confidence under Mourinho.
“Any player I’ve ever played with, even the best, if the manager believes in you and you play a run of games you build your confidence.
“I think the couple of injuries could be a blessing for Man United. You’re not bringing in young lads, you’re bringing in Lukaku and Sanchez.
“Sanchez could be the match winner tonight and I hope he is, because I think he’s a wonderful player.”