Sanchez trains with Arsenal first team

Alexis Sanchez trained with the rest of the Arsenal first-team on Friday as Arsene Wenger prepares to play his star man against Crystal Palace at the Emirates.

The 29-year-old was expected to train with the club’s under-18 side, as he did on Thursday, as he waits to complete his £35m move to Manchester United.

But Sanchez was alongside his team-mates as preparations continue for the visit of Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace side.

And while Sanchez will play no part for United away to Burnley on Saturday, the key to the deal remains Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The Armenian midfielder met with Arsenal officials to thrash out the final elements of his contract and that is expected to speed up Sanchez’s move north, according to reports.

Speaking at his press conference at Carrington, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admitted he had no idea why the Chilean’s move to Old Trafford had been held up ahead of the weekend’s matches.

United have agreed to make Sanchez the club’s highest ever earner in the biggest wages deal in Premier League history.

They will pay Arsenal £20m to sign the 29-year-old and a further £15m to his agent Fernando Felicevich after a £450,000-a-week deal was agreed.