Manchester United are determined to prise Sanchez away from Arsenal despite Manchester City rivalling them for the player’s signature.

For months now, the Chile international has looked set to move to the Etihad and reunite with Pep Guardiola, who managed him before over in La Liga with Barcelona.

But Jose Mourinho is confident of sealing a shock move for the 29-year-old though, with so many attacking players at his disposal, how he would fit in remains to be seen.

Yet the Manchester Evening News say Mourinho may sign Sanchez to help get the best out of Lukaku.

The Belgian is still attempting to justify his huge £75million price tag, having blown hot and cold since signing for Manchester United.

The 24-year-old signed from Everton in the summer and immediately hit the goal trail, scoring nine goals from his first 10 outings across all competitions.

But his form has slumped since and many feel United need players capable of getting the best out of their No9.

And the MEN say any deal for Sanchez, should it be done, will be down to Lukaku.

Speaking yesterday, Mourinho upped the ante by praising Sanchez ahead of his team’s game against Stoke on Sunday.

“I don't know if it's ethical or correct to be speaking about players of other clubs,” said Mourinho.

“If somebody speaks about one of my players to say they are interested or not interested, I wouldn't be very very happy.

“Sanchez is an Arsenal player. I don't know but, probably this weekend, he's going to defend Arsenal colours, so I don't think it's correct to say things about Alexis Sanchez.

“At the general level what I can say is myself and the Manchester United board, the owners, we don't believe a lot in the January market.

“We don't believe in signing a player just to sign a player, just doing something - we don't believe in that.

“What we believe really is there are some players in football world if you have the chance to sign them in January, March or July, you have to try, and that's it."