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Cape Town - Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez has reportedly recorded a poor sprint test result which hints at a reason for his huge decline in form since joining the Red Devils.
READ: Mourinho: Every team got better and United didn't
Sanchez joined United in January of the 2017/18 season having enjoyed a four-season spell with Arsenal where he scored a creditable 80 goals in 166 appearances.
However, in his 30 appearances so far for the Jose Mourinho-coached outfit, the Chile star has managed a paltry four strikes in all competitions.
The player has famously been known for having an all-out action style in which he covered every blade of grass on the pitch for his team, however, it seems he has undergone a significant physical decline as a result.
According to a report in the Independent, the 29-year-old recently undertook a sprint test in which he was beaten by Juan Mata - a player not known for his explosive pace and speed.
The publication said: "There was already the feeling Sanchez may be facing physical burn-out in his last season at Arsenal. This was, after all, an all-action forward who so often pushed himself into what Arsene Wenger described as “the red zone”, and was playing 38 games in a season as long ago as 2005.
"That’s a lot of wear and tear, and one reason why Juan Mata is said to have beaten him in sprints at United. It is all one big reason Arsenal eventually gave the go-ahead to let him go.
"So much, then, for the idea that Manchester United got the better end of the deal and one over Manchester City."
With that said, Sanchez reportedly does not enjoy a good working relationship with Mourinho and it could be that a move away from Old Trafford may transpire in future.
