After seven matches, one goal and one assist in Italy, Alexis Sanchez will return to Manchester United and prove all his doubters wrong.

The Red Devils’ manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who allowed him to leave on loan in the summer to go to Inter Milan, said on Tuesday,

“Alexis will come back in the summer and will prove you all wrong.”

The Chilean forward swapped Arsenal for United in January 2018 but managed just five goals in 45 appearances over his 18-month spell.

And this season has not been much better, with Sanchez managing just seven appearances and one goal under Antonio Conte, having already missed 14 games after an ankle injury.

While United are short on firepower it is doubtful whether Sanchez would have made any difference had he stayed at United, having scored just five goals in 45 appearances for the club.

His January switch to the Red Devils from Arsenal two years ago this month has probably scared United’s hierarchy off signing a big man in the mid-season transfer window.

His £550,000 wages were a drain on the club and they are still paying half of them now.

There is one thing not looking for a big name but another not signing anyone at all with the squad struggling due to injuries to Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.

“We’ve got players here who are working hard to get back,” Solskjaer said.

“If there is something out there the club will be pursuing that.

“But it’s always difficult.

“I can’t remember how many good ones we’ve brought in and good deals in January.

“Henrik Larsson was good and Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra.

“But it’s hard, very hard, the clubs don’t want to lose their best players.”

Solskjaer was speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City, with his team trailing 3-1 after the first leg at Old Trafford.