Alexis Sanchez is prepared to be a loner at Manchester United – but will seek a move as early as January if he continues to be exiled by Jose Mourinho.

The Chilean’s omission from Sunday’s starting line-up against Manchester City has pushed him closer to the Old Trafford exit.

The 29-year-old is frustrated by his lack of playing time this season and is prepared to walk away if he continues to be overlooked by Mourinho.

But suggestions a lack of close friends in the dressing room could also drive him out have been dismissed.

Sanchez is said to be happy to cut a lone figure, with on-field success his primary motivation.

A summer move remains the likelier option, but Sanchez would also be willing to explore the opportunity of a January deal, due to his frustration.

The problem for him and United remains the size of his salary, which is believed to be worth up to £400,000-a-week. Very few clubs in world football could afford to offer him the same deal, as well as a transfer fee on top.

Even Manchester City had to drop their pursuit of the forward in January after learning of the size of the offer being put on the table by United.

Qatar-backed Paris Saint-Germain would be the standout option in Europe – but the French giants are likely to prefer a summer move when they might be looking to replace Neymar, who continues to be linked with Real Madrid.

The question is whether Sanchez’ frustrations boil over to the point that he demands a move when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.

He became so unsettled at Arsenal last season that he pushed for an exit in January, despite being just six months away from becoming a free agent.

That caught City off guard, as they were banking on bringing him in at the end of the season.

United pounced, prompting accusations from critics that Sanchez had chosen money over ambition.

But it is understood a key factor his decision to head to Old Trafford was the belief he would be one of Mourinho’s star players, rather than part of a rotation at City, along with Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.

Now he finds himself behind the in-form Anthony Martial at United – and with the Frenchman expected to sign a new five-year deal soon, his first team prospects will continue to be hindered.

Sanchez was used as a 73rd-minute substitute in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to City, despite Romelu Lukaku being ruled out of the starting line-up having only just recovered from a hamstring injury.

Mourinho – who is said to have had a strong relationship with the forward – preferred Marcus Rashford at the point of his attack, which was another damning indictment of Sanchez’ position at the club.

Sanchez has scored just one goal this season – the dramatic late winner against Newcastle last month, which was one of the rare highlights of his time at United.

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While Mourinho loyally stuck with him up until the start of this season, the United manager’s frustration ran out as his reign was plunged into crisis. He made his feelings known during one dressing down at Carrington, before dropping Sanchez for Martial.

Given the uncertainty over Mourinho’s own long-term future, Sanchez could wait until the end of the season to see if his situation improves, or if a new manager comes in.

But his determination to push through his exit from Arsenal in January is evidence of how strong-willed he can be when his frustration takes hold.