Daily Express

UNITED PLAN SANCHEZ HIJACK

Jose offers Mkhitaryan in bid to scupper City swoop Time for Rooney Rule in top flight

- Ian Whittell Nick Szczepanik

MANCHESTER United have launched an audacious bid to hijack Alexis Sanchez’s move to rivals City.

But it appears an uphill battle to convince the Arsenal star to turn his back on Pep Guardiola.

Jose Mourinho’s club reached out yesterday to the Gunners, testing the water over whether they would be willing to accept £25 million for the Chile forward.

That is more than the £20m City are believed to be prepared to pay for Sanchez, who can move on a free transfer this summer when his contract expires.

United also suggested midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving to the Emirates as a makeweight in the deal as Mourinho looks to offload the Armenian.

And United are hoping their superior offer tempts Arsenal into agreeing to sell him this month. In addition, sources claim United are CHRIS HUGHTON has urged the Premier League to follow the FA and the Football League and adopt the Rooney Rule.

The FA announced on Tuesday that it will adopt the rule, which requires at least one black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) candidate to be interviewe­d for every England coaching job.

The Football League have also signed up to it since January 1 – but it is understood the Premier League has no plans to follow suit. However Brighton boss Hughton, the only BAME manager in the top flight, said: “The Premier League clubs are the next stages.

“All we want is for progress to be made and eventually to see more black and ethnic coaches involved at the higher levels of the game. The rule itself is set up not to give black and ethnic minority candidates jobs, it’s to give them the opportunit­ies to get jobs. We are working in a very multi-cultural environmen­t now as regards players and grassroots and starting

 ??  ?? MAKING HIS POINT: Hales hit 52 at a strike rate of 148 yesterday PROGRESS: Chris Hughton wants to see opportunit­ies created TUG OF WAR: Both Manchester clubs are keen to sign Alexis Sanchez LEVY: Spurs pledge
MAKING HIS POINT: Hales hit 52 at a strike rate of 148 yesterday PROGRESS: Chris Hughton wants to see opportunit­ies created TUG OF WAR: Both Manchester clubs are keen to sign Alexis Sanchez LEVY: Spurs pledge

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