Alexis Sanchez enjoys lunch out with girlfriend Mayte Rodriguez at fashionable Cheshire restaurant as Manchester United star relaxes ahead of Saturday's derby

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Alexis Sanchez and his girlfriend Mayte Rodriguez were spotted having lunch at a Cheshire restaurant as the Manchester United star enjoys some down time ahead of Saturday's derby with Manchester City.

The forward arrived at Piccolino restaurant in Alderley Edge in his £150,000 car on Thursday afternoon.

Sporting chinos and sunglasses in the sun, Sanchez appeared in relaxed mood ahead of this weekend's Manchester derby.

Alexis Sanchez and girlfriend Mayte Rodriguez had lunch at Piccolino restaurant on Thursday

Sanchez looked relaxed ahead of the upcoming derby against Manchester City on Saturday

The Manchester United star left in his Bentley Continental GT, worth around £150,000

He was later photographed leaving the popular Italian restaurant with model girlfriend Rodriguez, 29, before getting into his Bentley Continental GT.

Fellow Chilean Rodriguez, who has around 640,000 followers on Instagram, is a well-known figure in her homeland having appeared in a number of films and TV shows.

Rodriguez revealed in an interview with magazine Hola last summer that she was dating Sanchez after they met at a barbecue.

Fellow Manchester United player Victor Lindelof also ate at the restaurant with his fiancee

The pair were joined at the restaurant by another Manchester United player Victor Lindelof, who ate separately with his fiancee Maja Nilsson.

Sanchez has experienced a difficult start to life in Manchester since his January transfer from Arsenal. 

He will look to add to his two United goals when they try and delay City's title party with victory at the Etihad.

The ex-Barcelona attacker, who netted last time out in the 2-0 home win over Swansea, is believed to be on £600,000-a-week at Old Trafford.