Mourinho could be forgiven for sprinting down the Old Trafford touchline in celebration.
But he didn’t.
Instead, the United boss ordered Nemanja Matic over and was seen engaging the Serbian in deep conversation.
Matic then trudged back and United held on to preserve all three points.
Mourinho’s failure to celebrate Sanchez’s strike comes amid reports the duo are at loggerheads.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho chose to call Nemanja Matic over instead (Image: BT Sport)
The narrative seems to be the 29-year-old feels he was given false promises upon signing from Arsenal in January.
But, for now, he appears to have kept his manager in the job.
Mourinho was delighted after the game, with the United boss saying: "It happened that we started nervous, the team in my opinion didn't cope well with the pressure of the man-hunting.
"Every ball around our box was almost a goal or some mistake, a bad decision, panic.
“And at half-time we spoke, everybody, and the team faced the second half with a different spirit, a different belief, giving everything for the victory.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho gave Nemanja Matic a message (Image: BT Sport)
Jose Mourinho accepts clubs losing streak isn't 'good enough'
"These football clubs, they are not made only of just victories and just difficult moments, but always with pride.
“Not just always victories, always pride. In the second half it's of pride. We needed the victory too, everything is better.
"At half-time we are losing 2-0 and I know we can do better what we are doing.
“But football is football and every result is possible as you can see."