Alexis Sanchez lacks confidence and hunger- Paul Merson

The Chilean has scored just twice this the season for the Old YTrafford outfit.

Paul Merson thinks Alexis Sanchez lacks the confidence and the hunger that he was known for during his Arsenal days.

Alexis Sanchez has struggled to keep up with the hype that followed after his high profile transfer to Manchester United. The Chilean international has since then been a pale shadow of the world-class player he was at Arsenal.

Alexis Sanchez's downfall started right from the final days of his ultimate season at the Emirates Stadium, where he was under the cosh due to the constant flak received because of the rumours linking him with a move away from Arsenal. The situation has only worsened since then, with Alexis being restricted to the bench and having scored just twice throughout this season.

Alexis Sanchez seems to be the only player not improved under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and has fallen down the pecking order behind Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Paul Merson attributes the downfall to the loss of confidence and hunger, which is pretty much evident from his gameplay these days.

"I hope we see the old Sanchez, but I don't see the confidence or the hunger in his eyes anymore," Merson told Soccer Saturday.

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"The first thought that used to come to mind when you mentioned Alexis Sanchez was that he worked his socks off, he put a shift in.

"For the quality he possesses as a player, he works as hard as anyone, but I don't see that anymore. "Sanchez has lost that hunger and it's a shame. It's sad because he was good."

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When asked if the Chilean international would end up like his former Arsenal teammate Mesut Ozil as a highly paid bench warmer, Charlie Nicholas added: "It pains people to watch [what is happening to] Sanchez.

"He was a street fighter, a warrior, with talent. He will have an occasional burst of games but never as consistent as what he's been in the past."