Much has been made about the motive behind Alexis Sanchez’s decision to sign for Manchester United over Manchester City.

Many believe that Sanchez has chosen money - he will earn £350,000-per-week at Old Trafford, according to the Mail - over trophies.

Indeed, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown labelled the Chilean a “mercenary” for choosing red over blue.

“Sanchez has got to be the biggest mercenary in football,” Keown wrote in a Daily Mail Q&A.

“For Sanchez, this is clearly not about going to the best team, working with Guardiola and taking his game to another level.

“He has probably thought that he will not get a better offer if he waits until the summer, so he might as well take the best deal on offer now. It has been all about the money.”

Pogba wanted pay parity clause in Man Utd contract

Sanchez’s hefty wages are enough to make him the highest earner in the Premier League, surpassing teammate Paul Pogba.

Pogba earns £290,000-per-week and there were rumours that the Frenchman had asked Man United to increase his wages to put him alongside Sanchez in the wake of the 29-year-old’s arrival.

According to The Sun, Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola demanded a pay parity clause when he signed his contract in 2016 that would ensure he was always the highest earner.

Why Man United said no to Pogba's request

However, the Red Devils rejected the request, fearing that it could cause the wage bill to spiral out of control.

"The club were smart enough not to agree to the pay parity clause," an Old Trafford source told The Sun.

"Mino tried his luck when Pogba came back here to make sure he was always the highest earner at the club.

"The club held their nerve and refused the request, fearing the wage bill could get out-of-hand if others came in.

"He is already looking to get his client's terms increased to go alongside Sanchez."

Looks like Pogba will have to make do with earning £290,000-per-week, then.

The Frenchman has also lost his title as the world’s most expensive footballer.

He returned to Old Trafford in an £89 million deal with Juventus in 2016 but Neymar, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho have since commanded higher transfer fees.