Alexis Sanchez: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘can’t do anything about’ struggling Manchester United forward

Alexis Sanchez’s Manchester United struggles will continue unless he does something about it, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer admits there is nothing more he can do to help the Chile forward, who is the only player not to kick on since Jose Mourinho’s sacking last year.

While the likes of Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are all now performing at an elite level under Solskjaer, Sanchez continues to look like a poor excuse for a professional footballer.

The 30-year-old’s flaws were for all to see on Tuesday night, when Sanchez was introduced as a substitute for the injured Jesse Lingard just before half-time in United’s Champions League defeat by PSG.

He was a peripheral figure throughout his 45 minutes on the pitch, failing to record a shot on goal or complete a single dribble, with Sanchez looking scared to receive the ball in the final third.

Viewers now expect Sanchez to lose the ball should he have it in his possession – and, more often than not, he does exactly that.

Solskjaer, the United manager, was clearly not impressed with Sanchez’s performance, and he claimed after the match that there is nothing more he can do for the former Arsenal star.

“I can’t do anything about Alexis Sanchez,” Solskjaer said. “When he plays he needs to find himself because we know there’s a quality player there.”

Solskjaer may have the opportunity for an extended run in the starting line-up over the next few weeks given Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial both suffered injuries during Tuesday’s defeat by PSG.

There has not yet been any confirmation as to how long the duo will be stuck on the sidelines, however.

Solskjaer, meanwhile, admitted United were given a “reality check” as his unbeaten record as interim manager was ended by PSG.

The French heavyweights were shorn of Edinson Cavani and Neymar for the first leg of this Champions League last 16 tie but still proved too strong for United as Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe secured a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

Defeat for the Red Devils was compounded by the late dismissal of Paul Pogba, who will miss the second leg at the Parc des Princes, and Solskjaer was open that there was a gulf in class between the sides.

Solskjaer conceded: “We weren’t at the level. This is a level up from what we have played against with the games we’ve had.

“We’ve had a great run, we came into this game in a great frame of mind, great form but of course it was a big step up, they have quality from the keeper to the striker.

“There is a reason behind them being one of the favourites for the Champions League. That’s the level we need to aim for at this club.

“Of course it’s a reality check. The top four is one thing but we want to be at the top and Manchester United should be at the top.

“This is a top, top team that we played against. Our players are disappointed after the game, of course, but I also think they know that we need to step up our level to get to the level that we want to get to.”