Mourinho: Alexis to use international break to help lift Man Utd

Jose Mourinho says Alexis Sanchez will use the upcoming international break to help lift Manchester United's season.

The Red Devils have made a stuttering start to the new Premier League season, losing back-to-back games against Brighton and Tottenham.

Alexis has also endured early-season struggles, having missed United's 3-2 defeat against Brighton through injury.

However, the forward came off the bench against Tottenham and will not play any part in Chile's double-header against Japan and South Korea, in a major boost to United.

And Mourinho says the 29-year-old is planning to use the two-week international break to improve his fitness ahead of a busy schedule for United.

Mourinho told the club's official website: “He’s [Alexis] not going to the national team for these two friendlies in Japan and South Korea, which is good news for us because after that we play Watford and then immediately play [in the] Champions League [away at Young Boys].

“He’s committed, he’s focused, he works hard. I believe that he will improve.

“I didn’t ask [Alexis], I never ask players not to go [on international duty] and I never contact national teams for players not to go.

“It’s a personal thing between him and the national manager.

“At the same time, coming [back] from injury, he feels that for him it’s a much-needed two weeks in spite of his conditions to play against Burnley.

“He feels that, after that [the game at Turf Moor], he needs two weeks to put himself in good shape and, because of the friendly matches in Asia, they made the decision for his good and, in consequence our good, for him not to go.”

United take on Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday as Mourinho's men look to answer recent criticism with a positive result at Turf Moor.