Manchester United's Alexis Sanchez wants to end career back in Chile

Sanchez said that it was the dream of his adoptive dad Jose Delaigue, who died of liver cancer in May 2011, to see the forward play for Universidad de Chile at some point in his career

Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United earlier this year (Getty)

Alexis Sanchez has admitted he would like to end his career at Chilean side Universidad de Chile, the club he and his family support.

The forward swapped Arsenal for Manchester United at the end of January in a transfer that many saw as the Chilean’s last big move.

Now, Sanchez has revealed he wants to see out his playing days in his home country after first leaving Chile for Udinese in 2006. The forward was immediately loaned back to Chile's Colo-Colo, and then Argentinean side River Plate, before being recalled by Udinese in 2008. Since then, Sanchez has not played outside of Europe.

In an interview with Chilevision TV, Sanchez said that it was the dream of his adoptive dad Jose Delaigue, who died of liver cancer in May 2011, to see the forward play for Universidad de Chile at some point in his career.

Revealing his plans to end up with one of Chile’s most successful sides of all time, he added: “I think it would be my family’s dream.

“My father who is now in heaven was a supporter of La U and I think the truth is that a lot of my family would like me to end up there.

“My dad was the pillar of the family and sometimes people do things for their family as well.

“I played for Colo-Colo and the truth is that it was great and I won a lot of things with them, but I think people are going to understand it because it’s a dream my dad had and God willing I am going to fulfil it.”

Alexis Sanchez during his Colo-Colo days (Getty)

For now, Sanchez remains focused on delivering under Jose Mourinho having struggled for form in the weeks since his move to Old Trafford.

Despite facing criticism for his performances – Rio Ferdinand described him as a “shadow of his former self” after United’s Champions League exit – the forward has insisted he thrives under pressure.

“The pressure doesn’t play against me, it helps me. The more pressure I’m under, the better I feel. I feel like an important player at world level.”