Alexis Sanchez was unveiled as a Manchester United player on Monday evening and reiterated the motivation behind the transfer was his lifelong dream of playing for the club.

In 2010, the media reported on a claim from one of Sanchez’s World Cup teammates claiming that United was the only club the player talked about.

In his first interview with the club, Sanchez talked about how it meant to him to be a United player at last.

Since I was a young lad I’ve always said that my dream was to play for Manchester United, and I’m not just saying that because I’m here now and today it’s come true. I always said as a kid that I’d like to play for United and I once spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson about it. We chatted for around 20 minutes. And I told him that my dream was to come here to Manchester United. It really is a massive club, very powerful, and so now, when I got the opportunity to come here, I looked at the badge and my hairs just stood up on end because it’s a powerful club and the biggest in England.

Sanchez talked about his happiness at getting to play at Old Trafford in the red shirt of United.

I’ve always been motivated by this club, by their red colours, which have always stood out for me and I’m genuinely saying this from the heart when I tell you that this is like a dream come true for me, playing for Manchester United. It makes me feel really happy and I’m so pleased to be here at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ as everyone calls it!

Sanchez will wear the no.7 shirt, just as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo did, which means a lot to Sanchez.

When they told me that Cristiano, Cantona, David Beckham had all worn it, just thinking about that number seven sets you off dreaming in your head with ideas about lifting the Champions League trophy and winning the Premier League title. So yes, I’m fulfilling a dream and I hope to give my very best and win many trophies at this club.

Welcome to United, Sanchez. You got here in the end.

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