Chile head coach Reinaldo Rueda has insisted that Alexis Sanchez still has a lot to offer at the top level despite acknowledging that the forward has had a "traumatic" and "torturous" year.

Sanchez is currently on loan at Inter Milan from Manchester United but has been in and out of Antonio Conte's side with persistent injuries.

The 31-year-old is set to return to his parent club after a poor campaign in Italy and, with his contract expiring in June 2022, it is uncertain as to whether he will remain at Old Trafford.

"It has been a traumatic, very tortuous year for him. Ever since his departure from Arsenal and his first year at Manchester United," the Chile boss told SPORT.

"He came to the Copa America in Brazil and then had that bad luck with the injury in the friendly against Colombia in Alicante. That loan to Inter was almost thwarted and when he recovered the pandemic came.

"I expect all this to pass quickly because he's a great professional, has a great attitude in training and will maintain a high standing for any club that gives him a chance. He's got a lot of football yet to show at the top level."

Sanchez, who earns £400,000 a week, has scored just five goals in 45 matches for United since moving from Arsenal in 2018 and has only found the back of the net once in 15 appearances for Inter Milan this season.