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Alexis Sanchez wishes Man United had signed 'many more world-class players'

Alexis Sanchez has told ESPN that he would have liked Manchester United to have signed "many more world-class players" in the summer transfer window.

Jose Mourinho said on Thursday that he did not expect United to add any more players before the Premier League's 5 p.m. BST transfer deadline that day, meaning Brazil midfielder Fred, 19-year-old full-back Diogo Dalot and reserve goalkeeper Lee Grant are the only additions to the squad.

"I would have liked that they had signed many more world-class players," Sanchez told ESPN Brasil's Natalie Gedra when asked before deadline day about United's quiet transfer window. "But it's the club's decision."

Fred has been United's biggest signing of the summer. The 25-year-old signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth around £50 million and joined up with United for part of their preseason tour of the U.S. after a post-World Cup break.

Sanchez said he expects the Brazil midfielder to be a great addition to the squad, which finished second in the Premier League last season.

"The truth is that [Fred] impressed me a lot in his first game," Sanchez said. "It's what the team lacked -- someone who plays 'jogo bonito,' as they say in Brazil. And Andreas Pereira too. I think they are two players who have quality and they could help me a lot."

Sanchez signed for United in January, and has so far struggled to replicate the goals and attacking threat he consistently displayed during his three-and-a-half years at Arsenal.

The Chile international, 29, said he feels more comfortable at United now following a full preseason with the club and hopes to combine more effectively with teammates Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku this term, beginning with the season-opening match against Leicester City on Friday.


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"Today I am more comfortable," he said. "I am calm. My teammates have to be focused. I also have to. I depend on them. If they are well, me too.

"It's [improving] positively, it goes better. I think it will be seen now in the games when we play with Paul, with Fred with Lukaku and with all the rest who are playing. There we will understand better which is the best way [to get the most out of the team].

When asked where on the pitch he feels most comfortable, Sanchez added: "Close to the goal to score. In general, I like to always be in contact with the ball."

After they host Leicester, United's other fixtures this month are a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug. 19 and a home match against Tottenham Hotspur on Aug. 27.

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