Reds boosted as Alexis Sanchez trains at UCLA

Alexis Sanchez has trained with his Manchester United team-mates in the USA for the first time, after landing in Los Angeles and joining the squad for Tour 2018, presented by Aon.

The Chile international had previously been busy working with one of the fitness coaches at the Aon Training Complex, but he can now enjoy being part of Jose Mourinho’s squad once again. It is now hoped that Alexis will play a part in Sunday’s friendly match against San Jose Earthquakes.

“His arrival is a boost for the squad and this pre-season training will be good for him,” said Denis Irwin during the live training show on MUTV. “Alexis came to the club in January and he knows the Premier League, but this is a chance to get his team-mates even better. You can't beat pre-season!

“Don't forget he has been working at the Aon Training Complex as well, so he is not rusty, he is up to speed, and that leads me to think he will play a part against San Jose Earthquakes.

“We need his experience as well up top. With Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford not out here after the World Cup, we are a bit thin on the ground in terms of experienced strikers and I have no doubt that Alexis will play up the middle at some points against San Jose Earthquakes.”

Amazingly, Alex has just completed his first full summer break in nine years due to his commitment to the Chile national team. Bryan Robson believes the long-overdue rest will benefit the player, who joined the club from Arsenal in January and hopes to start the new season with a bang.

“He is a top class player, there is no doubt about that and I think he is a great signing,” Robbo told us. “He didn't play to the top of his form when he first came but I think, maybe, he was trying too hard to impress, not playing his natural game. That will all settle down. He knows the manager, he knows how the manager wants to play and I think we will see a really classy Sanchez this season.”

Mourinho has already suggested Alexis will appear against San Jose Earthquakes in Santa Clara, telling MUTV: “When he lands, he has to play, because he trained with us for five days before we departed to LA and we left one fitness coach behind with him. Of course, it is individual training but, when he arrives, he has to play. If he is coming, he has to play.”

Previously, at a press conference in the US, the boss also discussed the Chilean in his plan for the start of the Premier League campaign. “It is important to work with Juan Mata, Alexis and Anthony Martial, who we think are the players we have for the start of the season.”