Struggling Sanchez 'psychologically and emotionally exhausted'

London (AFP) – Alexis Sanchez has admitted to being mentally exhausted after a rough start to his career at Manchester United.

“I know you are tired. I know you are psychologically and emotionally exhausted. But you have to smile and continue,” Sanchez posted in Spanish on Instagram below a photo that showed him  with a huge grin as he trained with Chile in Stockholm ahead of friendly with Sweden on Saturday.

Sanchez told reporters earlier in the week he had initially asked to skip  friendlies with Sweden and Denmark on Tuesday before reversing his decision.

The 29-year-old joined United from Arsenal in January on a reported salary of £500,000 ($695,000) a week to become the top paid player in Premier League history.

He became one of the fall guys as United were dumped out of the Champions League by Sevilla last 16 last week and was dropped by United manager Jose Mourinho for an FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton four days later.

Sanchez has scored just once in his first 10 games for United.

“It was a bit rough for me because it’s the first time I’ve changed a team in January,” said Sanchez, who added he had “expected something better” from himself during his first months under Mourinho.

Chile have not qualified for the World Cup in Russia, so Sanchez should get a prolonged summer break for the first time in five years.

Sanchez was a key member of the Chile team that won the Copa America back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, as well as the side that reached the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup and the 2017 Confederations Cup final.