Alexis Sanchez enjoys lunch out with girlfriend Mayte Rodriguez

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.

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 Saturday's Manchester derby.

He was later photographed leaving the popular Italian 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 last summer after they met at a barbecue.

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

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

His total of two goals in seven Premier League appearances means he is still to justify his hefty price tag of £35million.

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