Alexis Sanchez never said he wants to leave Manchester United and will stay in January, says Jose Mourinho

Sanchez is reportedly unsettled in Manchester and has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain

Jose Mourinho does not expect Alexis Sanchez to leave Manchester United in January, though reiterated that he will not keep any player at the club against their will.

Sanchez became one of United’s highest-earners upon joining from Arsenal in January but has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford, scoring just four goals in 29 appearances.

Reports have suggested that the Chile international is unsettled in Manchester and has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, less than a year on from his arrival at United.

Mourinho said on Friday that allowing want-away players to leave is part of his ‘philosophy’ – telling journalists: “That’s me. That’s me,” – though he added that he has no reason to believe that Sanchez is unhappy.

When asked whether the 29-year-old will depart in January, Mourinho said: “I don’t think so because he never told me that he wants to leave. He never told me that he is not happy to stay.

“But I repeat: that [letting want-away players leave] is a personal thing related to my philosophy.”

Sanchez started up front for United in the victories over Bournemouth and Juventus earlier this month, though returned to the substitutes’ bench for the 3-1 derby defeat at Manchester City before the international break.

Mourinho said that he believes Sanchez’s performance levels are improving but added that the Chilean can play better still, just like his “improving” team-mates.

“He is improving like the team is improving and when he plays he is giving us his personality, his desire to play and to produce for the team and trying to adapt to how we play and vice versa.

“Can he do better? I think we can all do better. I can do better and he can do better and all the other players can also do better,” the United manager said.