Manchester United have reportedly set Alexis Sanchez a deadline of Friday to join the Old Trafford club.

The Red Devils recently emerged as surprise contenders to sign the Arsenal forward, who is a supposed transfer target for rivals Manchester City.

According to The Express, however, United fear that their interest in the striker is being used by the Gunners as a bargaining chip to get City to increase their £20m offer.

As a result, the newspaper claims that the Old Trafford hierarchy have issued Sanchez with the ultimatum of reaching an agreement by Friday, after which they will walk away.

United are reportedly interested in Sanchez's services due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic potentially leaving in the summer and Romelu Lukaku having suffered a downturn in form.

Sanchez will be out of contract at the Emirates Stadium in the summer.