Marcos Rojo reveals why he was glad Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United

Marcos Rojo says he is glad Alexis Sanchez is now a Manchester United team-mate – so they can stop kicking lumps out of each other.

The Argentina defender has engaged in many rugged battles with the Chile striker over the years at both club and international level.

“I have faced him a number of times, playing either against Arsenal or Chile,” he said. “We always seem to have fought on the pitch so it’s better we’re on the same side as we always ended up kicking each other.

“That’s my style and the way I play. I’ve been this way since I was a kid. I am very aggressive and emotional on the pitch. I’m a very typical South American player. We’re very aggressive. It is something in my blood. I’m not going to change.

“But Alexis [Sanchez] is a great person, now I’ve got to know him. He is a fantastic player and I hope he brings his maximum level to United. He’s settling in well. He’s got a new house. In fact, it’s the one I had when I first arrived at United.”

Rojo has been in and out of the Man United team since returning in November following a seven month absence with ruptured knee ligaments but has told Jose Mourinho he is ready to help stabilise his defence and nail down their top four place.

He has started nine out of the last 20 games as Mourinho has eased him back into action but with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones failing to impress in successive away defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle, the Argentinian is set for a recall.

United will now focus on games in the two competitions where they can still land silverware – the FA Cup and Champions League – with a fifth round trip to Huddersfield on Saturday followed by a last 16 trip to Seville next week.

And Rojo is determined to  stay in the team on a regular basis to help secure his place in the Argentina squad for this summer’s World Cup.

“I’m feeling 100 per cent and I am happy with my previous performances,” he added. “They have been at a high level and I’m happy with my physical level, too. It’s about getting minutes under my belt and continuing to play.

“It was great coming back after a difficult injury. There was a lot of hard work for me to do and there were difficult times during that period so, after being out of the team for six or seven months, it was an immense feeling to be back on the field.

“I’ll be 28 in March and it is at the age when you start to show how much you’ve matured as a player and show how much you have learned. Every year I feel more confident, knowledgable and more certain of my abilities.

“My aims for the rest of the season are to play as many games as I can and then win trophies. Last year we won three trophies so it would be great to do something similar this year.

“It would be very important for the club and me personally so I can go to the World Cup with confidence.”

United still have to face top four rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal at home, plus champions-elect Manchester City away, as the battle for Champions League places intensifies.

“Every game against those teams is always big, intense and competitive,” he told Inside United. “It’s always a tough occasion. We’ve done well to get to second place and stay there for a long time but the top four positions are still open so we need to keep fighting.

“The challenge in the next few years is to win the Premier League. I don’t want to leave England without winning the title.”

Source:www.express.co.uk