Antonio Conte has revealed that Manchester United loanee Alexis Sanchez is not yet ready to start for Inter Milan.
Sanchez moved to Inter on a season-long loan deal from Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, with United still footing a large chunk of his wages.
He had been deemed surplus to requirements by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has since come under fire for failing to sign a replacement amid injuries to strikers Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford early this season.
But Sanchez, who has played just 10 minutes of action for Inter so far — coming on as a substitute in their 1-0 win over Udinese before the international break — is being treated with kid gloves by his new boss Conte.
He was an unused substitute in last weekend's Milan derby, which Inter won 2-0 and ahead of of the Nerazzurri's clash with Lazio tonight (Wednesday), Conte gave an update on the Chilean's match fitness.
"For him it is worth the words I give for everyone else," said Conte on Sanchez.
"When I see ready players, they will be inserted (into the team). I have to work in the interest of Inter, not of individuals."
The last time Sanchez completed a full competitive 90 minutes in club football was the opening game of last season, United's 2-1 win over Leicester on August 10th 2018.
Conte has, however, been happy with the impact of another former United striker in Romelu Lukaku, who has enjoyed a dream start to life at the San Siro, scoring three goals in five games.
Conte is a long-term admirer of Lukaku and paid £74million to secure him from Old Trafford, before signing Sanchez on loan.
"Of Lukaku, I have said far and wide what I think, it seems to me superfluous to repeat it again," the former Chelsea boss added.
"For the midfielders, on the other hand, I am happy. Beyond those who score, the more arrows we have available to our bow, the better,"
