Man Utd news: Alexis Sanchez could replace the injured Romelu Lukaku against Chelsea in the FA Cup
That’s the verdict of Martin Keown, who says Mourinho should look to harness the momentum generated by Sanchez’s impressive record at Wembley.
Manchester United go into this weekend’s showdown with Chelsea still sweating on Lukaku’s fitness after the hitman suffered an ankle injury against Arsenal last month.
Mourinho has a range of attacking options to replace the Belgian though, with much-talked about January signing Sanchez among them.
The Chilean has an impressive record at Wembley stretching back to his time at Arsenal and scored there in United’s semi-final win over Tottenham.
Keown has now predicted Sanchez will get the nod when Mourinho names his team to take on Chelsea at the home of English football.
"If Lukaku doesn’t make it, Alexis Sanchez could well play through the middle," Keown told the Daily Mail, when asked if Mourinho will be concerned by Lukaku not being fit.
"Sanchez has an incredible record at Wembley and Mourinho should harness that momentum on Saturday."
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Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is preparing his side to face Chelsea in the FA Cup final
Keown also revealed how he’d like to see Marcus Rashford utilised at United as well.
"I would like to see Marcus Rashford given a chance through the middle but if not, he can still be effective playing off the left," he added.
Lukaku, meanwhile, has bagged 26 goals in all competitions since joining United from Everton last summer.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic wishes Man United good luck for FA Cup final
And his Belgium team-mate Dries Mertens has hailed the 25-year-old’s commitment to developing his game.
"He has improved a lot," he said. "People are laughing at his control but he's a boy who after training takes 20 balls and continues to train. I respect him a lot for that."
Lukaku and Mertens are expected to be named together in Roberto Martinez’s Belgium squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.