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Mourinho says Sanchez must play vs. San Jose: 'We have no players'

Matthew Lewis / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Alexis Sanchez won't have much time to rest following his flight across the pond, as Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said the Chilean must feature in this weekend's friendly against the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Chilean was given the green light Thursday to meet up with his United teammates in the U.S. after he was initially denied entry into the country due to visa issues.

Despite his expected arrival on Friday from England, Mourinho revealed Sanchez will not be rested during Sunday's match against the Major League Soccer side due to the lack of forwards in United's squad.

"It is not about when he can (play), but when he has to," Mourinho told reporters, according to Rob Dawson of ESPN FC.

"We have no players and especially in attack we have no players, today was (Anthony) Martial and when Martial left the pitch was (Juan) Mata and when Mata went to the sides it was a kid that was a first time he trained with us in this preseason.

"No (Romelu) Lukaku, no (Marcus) Rashford, not here and probably not the start of the Premier League, so is about when Alexis lands and when he lands he has to play because he trained with us five days before we depart to LA and we left one fitness coach behind with him.

"Of course it is individual training but when he arrives he has to play. If he's coming he has to play."

United kicked off its pre-season tour Thursday with a 1-1 draw against Mexican side Club America.

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