Manchester United should repeat Robin van Persie raid and move for Alexis Sanchez, says Ryan Giggs

Robin van Persie joined rivals United in 2012 after refusing to renew his contract at Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez has been linked with a move away from Arsenal in the summer (Getty)

Manchester United should consider making a move for Alexis Sanchez this summer, former midfielder Ryan Giggs has said.

The Chilean’s future at the Emirates remains unclear as talks over his contract, which runs out next year, remain on hold until the end of the season.

Giggs pointed to the success of Robin van Persie’s shock move to Old Trafford. The forward signed for United for £24m in 2012 after revealing he would not be renewing his Arsenal contract.

The Dutchman won the Premier League title in his first season at the club – United’s last under Sir Alex Ferguson – and Giggs has said that buying another “ready-made superstar” in the shape of Sanchez could help revive his old club.

"He's a brilliant player," said Giggs. "His work rate, the effect he has on his team-mates, a winner.

"Jose Mourinho bought Zlatan Ibrahimovic because he is a winner. He'd won everywhere he'd gone. Not only the effect on the pitch but off the pitch as well.

"You can just feel that Sanchez would give his team-mates a lift.

"When we bought Van Persie you're buying a ready-made superstar and everyone was like 'Van Persie scores 25 goals a season. What a brilliant buy'. And it gives not only the fans a lift, but the players."

Sanchez has scored 21 goals in this season's Premier League, making him the first Arsenal player to top 20 since Van Persie in 2011/12.

The Chilean has repeatedly said he is happy at the club but admitted he has been left "frustrated" by Arsenal's failure to sustain a title challenge and said he wants to be competing for the Champions League.