Football News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Leagues/Cups
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Transfers
  • Video
  • Pundits
  • On Sky
  • Sky Bet

Jose Mourinho says Alexis Sanchez did not come to Manchester United for the money

By Joe Shread

Last Updated: 26/01/18 9:13am

Jose Mourinho uses an analogy about an orange tree to explain his opinion of Manchester City's reaction to not signing Alexis Sanchez
Jose Mourinho uses an analogy about an orange tree to explain his opinion of Manchester City's reaction to not signing Alexis Sanchez

Jose Mourinho has claimed the reason Alexis Sanchez chose to join Manchester United has nothing to do with money.

Sanchez looked likely to join Manchester City before they pulled out due to the cost of the deal, leaving United to swoop in under their rivals' noses.

Transfer Talk: Can Arsenal land Auba?

The Transfer Talk panel discuss whether Arsenal can clinch a deal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Sky Sports News understands Sanchez is earning more than £350,000 per week at Old Trafford, whereas City were unwilling to agree to demands that would have made him the highest paid player in their squad.

Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United in a swap deal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining Arsenal, on Monday
Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United in a swap deal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining Arsenal, on Monday

When asked why Sanchez chose United over City, Mourinho said: "I don't know. I know that if other clubs didn't get it it's not a problem of money for sure.

"You go and analyse the numbers and Manchester City, Chelsea, even Everton spend more money than us.

"You have to put things in perspective - how much would Alexis Sanchez cost in a normal transfer with three years left on his contract? Look to the numbers now and I would say roughly between £100-150m.

Jose Mourinho claimed several clubs, including Everton, spent more money than United
Jose Mourinho claimed several clubs, including Everton, spent more money than United

"Alexis could go everywhere, he had lots of choices, he decided to come here and you have to ask him why.

"Was expensive? Was cheap? Honestly I think it was fair. I think it's a very good deal for us."

Pep Guardiola said City pulled out of the deal in order to preserve the "stability of the club" but Mourinho had his own unique view of the situation.

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had to pull out of a deal to sign Sanchez to protect the 'stability of the club'
Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had to pull out of a deal to sign Sanchez to protect the 'stability of the club'

He said: "Alexis reminds me a little bit the metaphor when you see a tree with amazing oranges in the top of the tree and then you cannot get there and you say I got the lower ones because I don't like the ones in the top.

"You like the ones in the top, they are so nice and so orange and so round, so full of juice, but you cannot get there.

"So you say I didn't want to go there or I prefer the other ones. I think it reminds me a little bit of that story."

Super 6 £1m jackpot

Simply predict six correct scores to win Jeff's £1 million. Enter your selections for free here.

Also See:

  • Mourinho signs new United deal
  • Transfer Centre LIVE!
  • Sanchez and Mkhi complete swap
  • Pep puts stability over Sanchez

Trending

  • 1
    Nev: Ole gets job with win
  • 2
    'Final shows we are better than Arsenal'
  • 3
    Merson's predictions
  • 4
    Poch: Massive weekend in PL title race
  • 5
    Pundits' Utd vs Liverpool combined XI
  • 6
    'Ban will impact Chelsea manager plan'
  • 7
    Chelsea to appeal FIFA transfer ban
  • 8
    Pep 'surprised' by Chelsea sack culture
  • 9
    The rise of Rashford
  • 10
    WATCH: Tiger's bunker thriller
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2019 Sky UK