Scholes: Sanchez's performances for United 'can't get any worse'
If Alexis Sanchez found it hard to deal with criticism from former Arsenal players, he definitely won't like ex-Manchester United great Paul Scholes' assessment of his performances since moving from north London.
The Chilean has been somewhat disappointing since arriving at Old Trafford in January, failing to either produce goals or influence matches with the same regularity as he did during his time at Arsenal, whom he led in scoring in two of his three full seasons before the 2017-18 campaign.
Sunday's FA Cup final loss to Chelsea saw another forgettable display for Sanchez at United, and he was subsequently singled out by Scholes as a player who will need to improve next season if the Red Devils have any hope of closing the gap on Premier League champion Manchester City.
"His performances, well, they have to improve," Scholes told BT Sport, courtesy of The Telegraph. "They can't get any worse, to be honest with you.
"I think the next few games of next season are vital to him; he needs to get fans believing again and believing (United) are going to get close to City. They need a big player."
Scholes went on to suggest Sanchez isn't on the same level as Chelsea star Eden Hazard, whose first-half goal Sunday proved to be the difference, and insisted United needs reinforcements this summer.
"Paul Pogba does not win you games on his own. Hazard does. Alexis Sanchez doesn't, he's shown that since January. They thought he could, but what we've seen...
"They need two magical players. I think they've got really good players. They haven't got a Hazard, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Lionel) Messi, and I know many teams haven't, but the difference between the two was the quality in Hazard, we saw that in big games. United don't have that."
Shortly after his move to United was announced, Sanchez took a swipe at unnamed former Arsenal players who criticised his perceived despondent attitude in the weeks and months leading up to his departure.
In an Instagram post, he said: "There are people (former club players) who have spoken with no knowledge of what happens inside the club and cause damage. I must say I always gave 100 percent, until the last day, when I asked to the Mister (Wenger) to be in the team, because I wanted to be a contribution."
The 29-year-old only scored twice across 12 Premier League appearances following his transfer to United, the first season since his arrival in England's top flight in which he's failed to hit double figures.