Jose Mourinho wanted to sign Alexis Sanchez for ONE reason - Matt Le Tissier

JOSE MOURINHO may have signed Alexis Sanchez to spite Pep Guardiola.

By Aaron Stokes /

That is according to pundit Matt Le Tissier.

Sanchez's transfer to Manchester United is expected imminently, as the final parts of his swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan are finalised.

Manchester City were expected to sign the Chilean this month after narrowly missing out in the summer.

But after United joined the hunt this month, Pep Guardiola pulled the plug on any January deal.

And Le Tissier believes Mourinho may have seen Sanchez as an opportunity to get one over his old foe.

Alexis Sanchez banners and shirts at the Emirates

 
ALEXIS SANCHEZ is moving to Manchester United, but the Emirates is still paying tribute to him.
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A Sanchez banner in the stands GETTY
A Sanchez banner in the stands

    “I think there was a little bit of one-upmanship there and fair play to them”

    Matt Le Tissier

    “I think that probably has played a little part,” he said on Sky Sports when asked by Jeff Stelling.

    “If they felt there was a small chance that they could nick somebody off Man City when everybody expected that deal to happen as soon as the window opened.

    “I think there was a little bit of one-upmanship there and fair play to them.

    Jose Mourinho getty

    Jose Mourinho will get enjoy beating Pep Guardiola to Alexis Sanchez, claims Matt Le Tissier

    Alexis Sanchez Getty

    Alexis Sanchez was expected to reunite with Pep Guardiola

    “But they’ve had to pay a lot of money to get that bit of one-upmanship.”

    Sanchez's move to United is actually a straight swap with Mkhitaryan.

    The Armenian agreed Arsenal terms last night and is expected to undergo a medical in the next 48 hours.