United boss Jose Mourinho is confident the Red Devils can tie up a deal for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, despite admitting there was ‘nothing new’ to report as he faced the press today.
The Old Trafford club are thought to be close to signing the Chilean forward, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading in the other direction in a swap deal.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger yesterday confirmed the “likely” impending transfer of Sanchez, and Mourinho is optimistic it will go through.
“Nothing new. I think everybody knows that we are there and especially when the Arsenal manager speaks so clearly like he did there is no point trying to hide at this moment,” he said.
“I will speak to you one day if we sign him [Sanchez], I can speak with you about him and what he can bring to our team.
“He’s an Arsenal player, he’s not my player, there’s no point in me speaking about something that may or may not happen.”
Speaking about tomorrow’s game against Burnley at Turf Moor, Mourinho confirmed that Mkhitaryan wouldn’t be selected.
He said: “No, not selected. But he is in very good condition, training well and in good conditions like the others.”
In non-Sanchez and Mkhitaryan related news, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are set to continue in the team, and Mourinho was full of praise for his first-choice full-backs.
“Luke has done very well recently, played very well. I’m really happy with him.
“I can say that in this moment, I don’t see many left-backs better than Luke Shaw.”
Shaw has struggled for consistent form, but Valencia has been an ever-present for Mourinho who is very happy with his captain’s contribution.
“He [Valencia] is our captain. He’s what I call a silent leader.
“But on the pitch he shows his experience, his desire to win, and of course, the goal [against Stoke City on Monday night] with his left foot was a miracle!
“But his performances are not a miracle at all – he is a very good player.”
Second-placed United face a tough trip to face Burnley tomorrow afternoon, and if they win the Red Devils will close the gap on leader Manchester City to nine points before they entertain Newcastle United in the tea-time kick off.
Mourinho’s men will make the short trip to Turf Moor in confident mood after winning their last three games in all competitions scoring seven goals without reply.
But they will travel without Sanchez as the wait continues to sign the two-time Copa America winner.
