Jose Mourinho confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will feature in Manchester United‘s Europa League clash with Feyenoord on Thursday night, praising his current attitude.
Mkhitaryan was one of four high-profile arrivals at Old Trafford in the summer, joining Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba as part of Mourinho’s restructuring of the United squad. However despite starring at Borussia Dortmund last season, the Armenian international has struggled badly so far this term.
Mkhitaryan’s game time has been severely limited since the Manchester derby back in September, coming off at half-time in what proved to be a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. A combination of fitness concerns and Mourinho’s continued search for his best team since means that was his last Premier League appearance.
Although the 27-year-old failed to feature again at the weekend in United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Mourinho confirmed he would play some part of their next clash against Feyenoord on Thursday.
“Yes. I told him today [Saturday] that he is going to be involved in the game against Feyenoord,” the Portuguese told reporters (via the club’s official website). “He is trying. Obviously he is not happy but he is transforming his frustration in a good way, which is to close the mouth, work hard and try to adapt.
“I told him ‘this was not the game for you’ because I don’t think he needs 10 or 20 minutes from the bench. I said ‘I think you need a good game and you need to either start or, if not, to come for the second half’. He needs less pressure and better conditions for him to express his qualities.”
Mkhitaryan has created three chances and won 36% of his average duels in four Premier League appearances this season, with an average pass accuracy of 87%, as the Red Devils sit sixth on 19 points, six adrift of the top four.
Following that clash with the Dutch giants, they face a double-header against West Ham United in the Premier League and EFL Cup at Old Trafford.
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