Show caption Alexis Sánchez is out of contract at Arsenal in the summer. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Manchester United Manchester United may secure Alexis Sánchez without Mkhitaryan move • Mourinho hopeful club’s robust finances can fund signing

• Some disquiet at Old Trafford over stance of player’s agent Jamie Jackson @JamieJackson___ Wed 17 Jan 2018 15.12 GMT Share on Facebook

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Manchester United could buy Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal even if Henrikh Mkhitaryan refuses to move the other way. José Mourinho hopes Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, would sign off a deal financed without money from the Armenian’s sale.

Mino Raiola, Mkhitaryan’s agent, has claimed his player holds the key to Sánchez’s transfer to United in a transaction that would be worth around £60m once the Chilean’s fee and that of his agent are factored in.

However, it is understood that if Mkhitaryan does not leave Mourinho believes that, given the club’s robust finances, Woodward could still sanction a move for a player who would potentially vastly improve United.

There is some disquiet at Old Trafford regarding Raiola’s stance and a view that he may be posturing. As Mkhitaryan has regularly been omitted by Mourinho from the match-day squad his prospects of regular game-time would be bleak should he refuse to leave for Arsenal. This may cause him to accept his career at United is over and agree the transfer.