Jose Mourinho is worried Alexis Sanchez will be targeted by rival fans due to huge wages at Manchester United
Chilean joined from Arsenal for reported £505,000-a-week and will likely make first league start against Tottenham
JOSE MOURINHO is worried Alexis Sanchez will be targeted by rival fans due to his huge wages.
The Chilean could get a first league start for Manchester United tonight at Tottenham.
Alexis Sanchez in action during Manchester United debut against YeovilAnd after Sanchez quit Arsenal for a reported £505,000 weekly wage, boss Mourinho said: “He is going to get that kind of reception everywhere.
It doesn’t matter about the previous rivalry between Spurs and Arsenal. He will get a bit of that everywhere.
“I don’t know if it’s true or not — that story of him getting one of the top salaries in Premier League football.
“To change one big club for another big club, this kind of situation attracts a bit of that — but I don’t think he cares.”
Indeed, Mourinho believes the 29-year-old forward, who United snatched from under the noses of rivals Manchester City, will thrive on hostile atmospheres.
The Special One said: “He’s the kind of player, with all his experience, I think he’s used to it.
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“Even in South America, I don’t think it’s easy for Chile to play in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, so I think these guys grew up with a certain level of experiences.
“I don’t think it’s a problem for him at all.”
At Wembley tonight, Mourinho faces rival boss Mauricio Pochettino — who has been linked with the Real Madrid job.
Mourinho knows what it takes to sit in the Bernabeu hotseat having won La Liga with them.
Asked if he believes Spurs chief Poch has the attributes to handle such a big job, Mourinho said: “I think he has.”
But he quickly added: “I look at Spurs’ history and don’t see a small club.
“I see a big club with big expectations and dreams to achieve.
“So, yes, I see him at Spurs for many years. But I also see him leaving and having a very good career at other clubs.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho has triggered Juan Mata’s year option on his contract to keep him at the club next season.
After Mourinho let him leave Chelsea to join United, it was expected Mata would be on his way out when the Special One took over at Old Trafford.
But Mourinho rapped: “Mata is very important. He was a big story when I arrived 1½ years ago. ‘Mata is in trouble, in trouble, in trouble’.
“Now he’s getting an extension. He is important for me and the club.”