Jose Mourinho reveals main difference between Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez

[Photo: Courtesy]

Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Alexis Sanchez and revealed his Champions League know-how sets him apart from the other strikers at the club.

The Manchester United boss parted company with Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the January transfer window in order to land the Chilean forward from Arsenal.

Sanchez has previously played in the Champions League with both Arsenal and Barcelona, whereas Romelu Lukaku is featuring in the competition for the very first time this season.

Mourinho is confident that Sanchez's experience will not only put him in good stead, but will aid the other players in his Manchester United team.

"Alexis has a level that my attacking players don't have," said Mourinho, while explaining why he was so keen on signing the world-class forward.

"Alexis played Champions League for a few years with different clubs, at least one club that is feeling the responsibility to win it when he was at Barcelona.

"Of my other boys, Lukaku is the first season in the Champions League, Rashford, Martial, Lingard, just a few matches. We don't have many with that know-how.

"Part of Alexis' talent as a player is that he knows what the Champions League is and that is important because when you go to the knockout, then the semi-finals, it is for players who know how to compete at that level."

Manchester United play Spanish giants Sevilla in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Sanchez is eligible to play in the fixture, having only played in the Europa League this season with his former club Arsenal.