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Paul Ince says Alexis Sanchez has gone to Manchester United because they are “miles bigger” than Manchester City.

Ince insists that big players are still reluctant to go to City because United have more history, they are “serial winners” and Sanchez can help bring the Champions League to Old Trafford this season.

United legend Ince believes Sanchez is a “statement signing” to show they mean business after Pep Guardiola’s remarkable season as City are running away with the Premier League title this season.

Sanchez could have gone to the Etihad and picked up a title winners’ medal in May but Ince says that is further proof that big players do not believe in City in the long term and United are still the biggest force in English football.

Ince said: “Everyone is raving about City. But when it comes to the two clubs, Man United are miles bigger than City. Players would still prefer to go to them over Pep’s side – that’s a fact. Players won’t go to City because they think they’re a bigger, more historic club than United. Because they’re simply not.

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“Some might get the quick satisfaction of winning the league this year, but those years of history, and the side that Mourinho is building – players want to be a part of that.

“This signing only confirms that. Sanchez had the opportunity to go into a team where he could have won a trophy. But he didn’t, he chose to go to United because of everything they stand for and that says a lot about the size of the club.

“City have some unbelievable players, but winning the league this year doesn’t mean anything. They need to do that year upon year and collect trophies to compete with United. That’s the true test. They’re not serial winners. United are and that’s why players want to be there.

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“With the Champions League around the corner, this is a huge boost. Sanchez hasn’t come to Old Trafford not to play. He’s come to show how good he is, on the top stage, which is Europe. He’s a special player and the sort that doesn’t come around that often, and I’d say United’s hopes of winning their fourth European trophy have just got a lot more likely.”

Sanchez had his choice of City, United, Paris Saint Germain while Chelsea were also sniffing around for the Chile superstar. But Ince says says that when United came in Sanchez was always going to Old Trafford and that should worry City.

Ince, in an interview with Paddy Power News, added: “We all presumed Sanchez would join Man City. There was all this talk about how desperate he was to be reunited with Pep Guardiola from their Barcelona days.

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“Suddenly, Man United is the destination for him, and that is a massive statement from the club. He’s one of the best players in the Premier League, and they’ve had a lot of competition to sign him.

“This is their way of saying: ‘Don’t belittle us. We’re still the biggest club in the league and we can get who we want.’

“It seems United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea were all after him. Sanchez choosing United sends a big message to those clubs, especially Man City.”