MANCHESTER — Jose Mourinho is hopeful Alexis Sanchez is set to become a Manchester United player but insists the deal is “not done.”
Mourinho revealed Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who trained at Carrington on Friday, will not feature against Burnley on Saturday as speculation persists that the midfielder will move to the Emirates.
He told a news conference on Friday ahead of the trip to Turf Moor: “There is nothing new.
“I think clearly everybody knows that we are there and especially when Arsenal manager speaks so clearly like he did there is no point in trying to hide or deny but not done at all, so in this moment Mkhitaryan our player, Sanchez an Arsenal player and with a match tomorrow I want to switch off and focus on the most important thing, which is the match.”
Mkhitaryan is expected to head to Arsenal to replace Sanchez and will not play against Burnley while negotiations continue.
Mourinho added: “He is not selected. But in very good condition, training really well and in good condition like the others.”
There has been speculation it is Mkhitaryan, who only arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund 18 months ago, that is behind the delay.
But Mourinho insists he is in the dark about the details of the transfer, and while a deal is still up in the air he was reluctant to talk about United’s potential new No. 7.
He said: “Sometimes people think transfers involve a lot the managers in the negotiations.
“I think it depends on the profile of the club, the way we establish our jobs and in my case when it goes to the table of negotiations I like to be out, I am out and I will just calmly wait for news, no more than that.
“I will speak with you if one day we sign him, I can speak with you about him and what he can bring to our team.
“He’s an Arsenal player, he’s not my player, there’s no point in me speaking about something that may or may to happen.”
Sources have told ESPN FC this week that Mourinho will sign a contract extension that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2021.
United are yet to officially confirm the agreement, but Mourinho suggested talks have been straightforward.
He said: “My contract ends July 2019, so plenty of time to speak.
“I know that the club is happy and the owners, the board are happy, they know I am happy and when that’s the case one day we decide to do something we will do it easily, but plenty of time.”
Rob is ESPN FC’s Manchester United correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @RobDawsonESPN.