Gary Pallister, former Manchester United and England defender, talks about how Alexis Sanchez can win Manchester United the https://sports.sportingbet.com/en/sports/4/1606/betting/champions-league">Champions League, why Jose Mourinho was the only man for the job, and Scott McTominay marking Eden Hazard out of the Manchester United vs Chelsea fixture.

Manchester United

On closing the gap to Manchester City next season…

"Manchester City have raised the bar so highly, it’s going to be difficult to close that gap next year. I think we lack a bit of creativity, but hopefully with Sanchez bedding in, that should raise it. I still think we need a Eden Hazard-esque type player. I think we need to be more free-flowing in our play, and try and match what City are doing".

"After City beat us at Old Trafford, it’s clear there’s a big gap. We’ve got some talented players, but we’ve lacked consistency. We’ve defended solidly in some games, and then others been completely picked apart. United of past were great at getting points when they’ve not player well and at the moment, we’re not doing that. That’s the sign of a team that’s hungry to win the title".

On Lindelof and his development…

“Mourinho is trusting him more and more, but he certainly looked unsettled at the beginning, which all players will do. He’s got better since he’s played more. It’s a shock coming here, so he’s learning and adapting. He’s not a barnstorming centre-back, he’s a ball-player and Victor had to adapt slightly.”

On the need for defensive reinforcements…

“Phil Jones has come in for a bit of stick, and struggled in particular against Tottenham and Newcastle, but I think he’s been unfairly treated. He’s played well this season and so too has Eric Bailly, who is also progressing each game. He’s going to make that centre-half position his.”

On David De Gea and whether he’ll stay this summer…

“His move seems to happen and then not happen every summer. Courtois is also linked with Real Madrid, which I’d be delighted with. David De Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world. Manchester City have brought in a new keeper that might not necessarily be the best goalkeeper, but he’s going to have a Premier League title. You need keepers you can trust and they need to do everything to keep him again.”

On whether Sanchez will push Rashford and Martial out of the club…

“I think players always feel pressure when they lose game-time, but it should also act as an incentive to play better and fight for their place. Sanchez is adaptable, like Marcus and Martial, and they can all mix and match. There’s always competition for places as Manchester United and it’s down to the players in question to fight for that place.”

“Rashford and Martial have both got quality, but have also had some problems. Marcus has had a dip in form, but he’s young and he has to learn from this. He needs to focus on his training and impressing Jose. They both need to be more consistent.”

On the number 7 and whether that pressure will get to Sanchez…

“I don’t think so at all. He’s got everything to be successful at the club. I didn’t think it was possible to get him, so the fact we have is a coup. He’s a world-class player and I don’t think the number seven, or playing at Old Trafford, will have any impact on him. He’s got a fantastic attitude and he’s not phased by anything. Once he settles in and gets used to his teammates, he won’t have any problems".

On whether Sanchez might hamper Lukaku’s effectiveness…

"The way United set up, you need that creative spark to get Romelu going. There are certainly bits to his game he needs to improve. He needs to be stronger when holding up the ball, being that pivotal figure, and then bring in the players around him. We need to be more creative in the final third, our build up has been a touch slow and lethargic. He’s scored 23 goals this year, which you can asked any more of your centre-forward but with Sanchez, it will only benefit Lukaku.”

On Paul Pogba…

“He’s a physical, imposing midfielder. I think he prefers to play on the left-hand side of the midfield three. It’s not when he’s on the ball, it’s when he’s off the ball that’s the issue. He’s got great vision, but without the ball, he looks uncomfortable. He can be like Gerrard, he has all the attributes but he needs to work on his play off the ball. He’s going to need to improve his work rate.

“As a team, Jose is trying to make them better without the ball, pressing higher up the pitch and winning the second balls, but it’s not something they’re good at currently. He wants more discipline and that’s why he dropped Pogba. I think that the rumours of rifts are rubbish, and he displayed against Chelsea that he had a bit of fire in his belly. He kept the ball and joined up with the attack, which is when he’s at his best.

“I learnt under Sir Alex that you have do as the manager says and if you don’t you’ll get left outside.”

On Scott McTominay…

“He marked Eden Hazard out of the game. What an education that was for him. The fact Jose has given him that responsibility speaks volumes about his confidence in him. He protected the back four really well, was physical and it was a very mature performance from him. He’s grasping his chance in the side and now deserves his place.”

On Jose Mourinho…

“He was the only person we could go to after Moyes and Van Gaal. He put trophies back in the cabinet last year. We’re playing better football and we’ll be back in the Champions League next year. He knows we need to be a better team, and he’ll work hard to ensure that’s the case. There’s no divine right for any team to win the title. With the financial backing nowadays, nobody can beat City in a price war, so he’s got a tough job on his hands.”

On Mourinho vs Conte…

“They respect each other. Obviously there’s been a war of words, but at the end of the day, they’re both professional and kept their heads. I think people were disappointed that something didn’t happen, but it shows their professionalism.”

On the return leg against Sevilla…

“They’ll be playing on tenterhooks. They’ve got to be careful not to concede the away goal, but Sevilla haven’t travelled well.”

And if they can win it…

“It’s possible for United to win the Champions League, especially with Alexis Sanchez. It all needs to come together though.”

On if there are any players who might leave United this summer…

"Michael Carrick looks set to retire after years of great service and he could take up a coaching role at the club, but you never want to talk about players leaving, but rather about those coming in. You need a strong bench in the Premier League now, so it’s important to keep players like Fellaini and Herrera in the squad.”

On crucial decisions and VAR…

“I’m a massive fan of VAR. I can’t believe how long it’s taking to implement it. But ultimately, you want to get the right decision and you’ve seen that mistakes are still being made with VAR. The problem is that the right decision is not being made, even using technology. Managers and players won’t moan if the decisions are right. You have the same conversations each week about how a decision is costing a team points, it needs to be hammered out.”

Middlesborough

On the Wyne-Tear Derby…

“It was a tough loss for Boro. To lose Traore for three games as well is a huge blow for their playoff chances. I wouldn’t have said that at the start of the season that Traore is a big loss, but Pulis is getting the most out of him.”

On Tony Pulis getting the club into the playoffs…

“They’ve had problems away from home and scoring goals, I can’t see them making the playoffs. They’re not scoring enough, they need Bamford to start producing more. There were too many changes under Garry Monk, and they didn’t look compact. The change had to be made and Tony is getting the club more organised.

“I think they needed a better shape, they didn’t look like a team. It’s clear what Tony’s tactics are, but it’s effective and each player understands their role within the team.”

On any players that are of Premier League quality should they get promoted…

"Stewart Downing is the only one with real experience but it’s tough to see many players at that level. Ben Gibson can play in the Premier League. Adama Traore one day looks like a Premier League £50 million player and the other a £50,000 player. He’s got an unpredictable style that frightens defenders but his lack of goals and poor decision-making knocks him down. He’s a unique talent.”

England

On England centre-backs…

“Gary Cahill will start for England this summer, he’s got a terrific work ethic. I know he’s not starting at the moment, but for me, he has to start for stability. Then it’s a case of John Stones, Harry McGuire or another playing alongside him. Even if he doesn’t play for the rest of the year, I’d start him. He’s a no-nonsense defender.”