Manchester United have granted permission for Alexis Sanchez to return home to Chile while he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Sanchez is not expected to feature again this calendar year and could face up to six weeks on the sidelines after sustaining the injury in training last month.
The setback is the latest blow in a difficult first year at Old Trafford which has seen him score just four goals in 30 appearances across all competitions, losing his place in the team prior to his injury.
United have now agreed that Sanchez will be best suited recuperating in his hometown of Topocilla, where he will work with Chile's national team medical staff to aid his recovery.
The club believe that the 29-year-old will benefit from having something akin to a winter break and also hope that his trip home will help to iron out issues in his personal life following his recent breakup with his long-term partner.
Sanchez has scored just once in 12 appearances so far this season and has been linked with a move away from United in January.
Barney Corkhill
