Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hailed Alexis Sanchez decision not to play for Chile in his Country’s upcoming international friendlies against Japan and South Korea.
Sanchez has instead decided to stay in Manchester in order to regain his sharpness after his side lost two of their opening three Premier League games.
The 29-year-old attacker joined Manchester United from Arsenal back in January but has so far failed replicate the type of form that made him one of the most highly-rated players in the Premier League during his time at the Emirates.
Mourinho is clearly impressed by his player choosing to skip the 12,000-mile round trip that playing against Japan and South Korea would entail, to concentrate on his club form.
“He is not going to the national team for these two friendlies in Japan and South Korea, which is good news for us because after that we play Watford and then the Champions League,” Mourinho told the press ahead of his sides away trip to Burnley today.
“It’s a personal thing between him and the national manager. I never ask players not to go. At the same time, coming from injury he feels that for him it is a much-needed two weeks off.
“He is still in condition to play against Burnley but feels that afterwards, he needs two weeks to put himself in good shape.
“Because they are friendly matches in Asia, they made a decision for his good — and by consequence our good — for him not to go.”