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Manchester United cannot recall Alexis Sanchez from Inter loan to replace Marcus Rashford

Man Utd are looking for short-term options to replace Marcus Rashford - AP
Man Utd are looking for short-term options to replace Marcus Rashford - AP

Alexis Sanchez will not be returning to Manchester United this month in the wake of Marcus Rashford’s huge injury setback.

It is understood that a recall clause was not included as part of the deal that took the Chile striker on loan to Inter Milan from Old Trafford last summer.

Sanchez returned to action this month after a near three month lay-off with ankle ligament damage, since when he has made four appearances as he steps up his fitness.

The former Arsenal striker endured a torrid 18 months at United before his temporary departure for Inter and will remain in Italy until the end of the season at least.

Rashford has been ruled out for up to three months with a double stress fracture in his back, an injury setback that leaves United with just two recognised strikers in Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, has admitted he could be forced to make an emergency short-term purchase to fill the void left by Rashford.

Sanchez, 31, will still have two years left to run on his contract with United in the summer.

United are thought to be currently subsidising around £175,000 a week of his enormous wages in a sign of how keen the club were to move him on last summer.

It remains to be seen if Inter opt to try to turn Sanchez’s loan into a permanent deal in the summer. Inter are currently in talks with Tottenham over a deal for Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen.