Alexis Sanchez poised to join Manchester United’s pre-season tour

Alexis Sanchez has been given the green light to join Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States after clearing up his administrative issues.

The Premier League giants departed for America at the start of the week but Sanchez was a notable absentee from the travelling party before it was discovered the 29-year-old was having trouble obtaining a VISA.

Sanchez accepted a 16-month suspended jail sentence in February for tax fraud and was not granted a VISA in time to join the rest of his teammates in flying across the Atlantic Ocean.

Jose Mourinho was concerned that Sanchez would not be granted the right to fly at all but the Chile international has now handed his manager a timely boost.

“There is good news on the Alexis Sanchez front as the Chilean star has been given the green light to fly to the United States to join Tour 2018 presented by AON,” a statement read on the club’s official website.

“The South American forward should be available soon to link up with his colleagues, following the first match of the trip against Club America in Arizona.”

United will kick off their pre-season tour against Club America in the early hours of Friday morning but Sanchez should be available to face San Jose Earthquakes on July 22.

Sanchez endured a difficult first six months at United after joining from rivals Arsenal in January, playing a direct hand in five goals in 12 league games for the Red Devils.

Chile’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup meant Sanchez had his first summer off in nine years and Mourinho has predicted the forward to rediscover his best form as a result.