Alexis Sanchez is not certain to leave Manchester United even though there are ongoing transfer talks with interested clubs, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chile forward Sanchez was not in the matchday squad for United’s first two Premier League games of the season with Chelsea and Wolves, having not taken part in any pre-season fixtures following his efforts at the Copa America.
The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with Inter, who have already signed Romelu Lukaku from United in this transfer window and are said to be interested in a loan deal.
It is claimed Sanchez’s wage demands are proving a problem for the Nerazzurri, though, with Italy’s transfer deadline just 10 days away.
Solskjaer appears unsure of what will happen with Sanchez, but he was pleased with his efforts in a behind-closed-doors friendly match against Sheffield United this week and does not seem desperate to see the player go.
“There’s still talks with some clubs, but he played in that game and played well,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday. “So, as I’ve said, he’s working hard and let’s see in September what’s going to happen.”
Lukaku caused a stir this week when a podcast apparently recorded while he was still a United player was published, in which the striker accused United of effectively nudging him out of the club by failing to protect him from public criticism and transfer speculation.
Solskjaer refused to become embroiled in the matter, saying: “I’m not going to dive into that one. That interview was made before the summer, wasn’t it? When he was a Man United player? So, I think I’d rather not.”
United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday after taking four points from their first two league matches of the season at home to Chelsea and away to Wolves.
Solskjaer has been encouraged by the fitness displayed in those performances, having been concerned by the way his players allowed their intensity to drop in matches towards the end of last season.
“The team spirt is great, we’ve got loads of energy and passion. You can see that with the way we went about the game with Wolverhampton,” he said.
“I thought our pressing was excellent. We gave them five minutes in the second half and that was it, really, when they had the ball and pushed us back but, apart from that, the engine looks so much better.
“Everyone’s fit and when you’re physically fit it’s easier to be mentally strong as well.
“[Palace] are a very organised team. They’ve got pace up front for counter-attacks, strong on set-pieces, so, of course, we know we have to do all parts of the game.
“We have to attack well, we have to win the ball back when we’re losing it and we’ve got to be strong on set plays.”
Solskjaer also confirmed that full-back Diogo Dalot is likely to be out of action until after the international break next month due to injury.
[Sportskeeda]
