Alexis Sanchez: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compares Manchester United forward to bottle of ketchup

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has vowed to squeeze the best out of Alexis Sanchez, comparing the misfiring Chilean to a bottle of tomato ketchup.

Sanchez has scored just five United goals since his arrival from Arsenal in January of last year and was widely criticised for his display against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old replaced Jesse Lingard at the end of the first half but was ineffective, failing to register a shot, dribble, cross or key pass as United fell to a 2-0 defeat.

After the final whistle, Solskjaer told Sanchez that he needs to “find himself” at United and take responsibility for his performances.

The United caretaker suggested much the same while previewing Monday’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea, claiming that all he and his staff can do is encourage the player.

“I think he’s a very good player,” Solskjaer said of Sanchez. “He’s very talented, but of course there’s only so many things you can sit down and talk about and tweak.

“You saw against Fulham when he gets his chance – he is so sharp in and around the ball, he wins the ball, his energy.

“If he could just get that goal I’m sure that would release his confidence.

“That’s what it’s about when you go through periods when you don’t perform up to your standard because we know there is a very, very good player there. It’s one of those things.

“You know that bottle of ketchup when it never comes? But when it suddenly comes, there’s loads.”

Sanchez has made just three starts under Solskjaer to date, a fact the United caretaker puts down to injuries, and he is confident that the player is close to a return to form.

“He’s still a young boy. He’s a man of 30, but he can still play for many, many years,” Solskjaer said.

“He’s been here for a year, I’ve been here for two months with him and he’s been injured for the first part of it so it’s unfair to just expect him to be at the top straight away.

“I’m sure we’ll see the best of him before the end of the season.”