Sanchez's £600k-a-week deal is 'cheap', insists new boss Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has hailed £600-000-a-week Alexis Sanchez as cheap, arguing that the deal is effectively a free transfer.

The Chilean, earning over half a million pounds a week once his image rights and signing-on fee are taken into account, made his debut at Huish Park in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Yeovil on Friday night, making an instant impact with two assists.

The player's wages are extraordinary but no money changed hands between United and Arsenal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan — who Mourinho did not trust to perform — moving in the opposite direction.

In valuing the Armenian at £35million and swapping the players, United are delighted with the negotiations.

'He was cheap, wasn't he?' said Mourinho. 'A free transfer! He was free. For that price, he is fantastic. I think everyone thinks the same in this country.

'I think everyone has to agree that he is a fantastic player. He has great quality and scores goals, makes assists, has a good attitude when the team loses the ball, he's good at set pieces. I think really he is one of the best attacking players in the world.'

Mourinho also said he is hopeful the missed drugs test by Sanchez on the day of his transfer is dealt with leniently, with Arsenal having acknowledged responsibility.

Sanchez is expected to be given one strike, with three missed tests in a 12-month period meaning a one-year ban.

Mourinho said: 'Arsenal were very honest in the way they approached the situation. We all know we must tell the whereabouts of players, but everybody understands that nobody knew where he was going to be, train, or sleep.

'So it's understandable. It was no one's mistake.'