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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04:  Carlos Sanchez of Colombia challenges Marcelo of Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Carlos Sanchez of Colombia challenges Marcelo of Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Scouting Report: Carlos Sanchez Quality Manchester United Squad Signing?

Allan JiangJul 5, 2014

Should Manchester United strengthen their squad depth by signing Elche's Colombian international Carlos Sanchez in the summer transfer window? 

To cover that hypothetical scenario, here is a scouting report on Sanchez, a 28-year-old, 6'0", 181-pound central midfielder. 

Grading Sanchez vs. Brazil: F

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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Carlos Sanchez of Colombia reacts after being defeated by Brazil 2-1 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil.  (Photo by Buda Mende

Sanchez played the No. 6 role shielding Colombian centre-backs Cristian Zapata and Mario Yepes. 

Aiming to be rock-solid, Sanchez was error-prone in Colombia's 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 

Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva scored as a result of Sanchez's inept marking. 

Sanchez came into the match averaging four tackles per game, but he was generally one step behind play against Brazil. 

That was why Sanchez committed more fouls (two) than tackles (zero).  

Another factor why Sanchez received an F was he made no concerted effort to present himself as a viable passing outlet. 

Completing 20 passes in 96 minutes is a meagre return. 

Sanchez Positives

An aggressive and powerful footballer, Sanchez is active in midfield and can turn defence into attack. 

Overpowering Valencia defensive midfielder Michel, Sanchez seized possession, veered to the byline and sent in a low cross to Elche central attacking midfielder Coro. 

Sanchez intercepted a pass against Nancy, roamed forward and opened up play with a crisp pass to then-Valenciennes (now Nantes) central midfielder Remi Gomis.

Launching an attack against Marseille, Sanchez displayed balance to shrug off a challenge, skill to evade a tackle, speed as he bustled ahead and creativity to play in then-Valenciennes (now Lyon) left-winger Gael Danic.

What makes Sanchez indispensable to his team is his high-powered work-rate. 

In back-to-back seasons, Sanchez has posted 100-plus possession won back statistics for Elche last season and Valenciennes during the 2012-13 season. 

League OnlyTackles Per GameFouls Per GameTackles Per FoulInterceptions Per GamePossessions Won Back
Carlos Sanchez 2013-142.41.61.51.3112
Carlos Sanchez 2012-132.21.21.91.9124
Tom Cleverley 2013-142.20.73.01.582
Tom Cleverley 2012-131.70.44.60.753

Sanchez Negatives

ELCHE, SPAIN - MAY 11:  Marc Bartra of FC Barcelona is brought down by Carlos Sanchez and Richmond Boakye of Elche FC during the La Liga match between Elche FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on May 11, 2014 in Elche, Spain.  (Photo by

Dangerous, impulsive and risky are adjectives to describe Sanchez's tackling. 

Instead of jockeying and pressuring Real Sociedad right attacking midfielder Carlos Vela, Sanchez dived in and failed to win the ball. 

Sanchez cut down Lille central midfielder Florent Balmont and repeated the act three minutes later to receive a needless early shower. 

Another problem in Sanchez's game is his wastefulness in possession. 

Stretching back to the 2009-10 season, Sanchez has never accumulated two assists or more.

Yet his combined pass completion percentage during that period is 80.1, so he needs to up his pass completion percentage into the high 80s. 

In front of goal, Sanchez is limited. 

With the ball dropping toward him, Sanchez's miscued backheel in front of goal against Valencia encapsulated his struggles to convert scoring chances.

Sanchez was 0-27 in goals-shots taken in La Liga last season and he only shot on target 39 percent of the time, per Squawka.com.

Bottom Line 

ELCHE, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04:  Carlos Sanchez (R) of Elche competes for the ball with Ikechukwu Uche of Villarreal during the La Liga match between Elche CF and Villarreal CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on November 4, 2013 in Elche, Spain.  (Photo by

While Sanchez had a bad game against Brazil, he is an excellent midfielder. 

He brings a wealth of experience being an integral part of the Colombian national team and playing top-flight European football since the 2007-08 season.

Sanchez sacrifices for the team, he plays with energy and would be a cheap squad addition to Louis van Gaal's United team. 

Statistics via WhoScored.com

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