Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s reaction to being left out of the Manchester United squad which beat Fenerbahce 4-1 on Thursday has now emerged.
The Red Devils strolled to a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and a brace from world-record signing Paul Pogba.
However, Mkhitaryan was omitted from Jose Mourinho’s squad even though he has recovered fully from a thigh injury which he picked up on international duty early in September.
Having not even made the substitutes’ bench, the 27-year-old Armenian was seen watching on from the stands at Old Trafford in midweek and he hasn’t played for his new team since producing a poor display in the derby defeat to Manchester City.
According to The Times, Mkhitaryan was “stunned” by Mourinho’s decision and has been left both confused and unhappy as to why he can’t get any playing time.
He only joined United in the summer, on the back of an exceptional season at Borussia Dortmund, but this most recent omission has already cast some doubt over the £26 million man’s future at the club.
Prior to the game against Fenerbahce, Mourino confirmed that Mkhitaryan was fit and available for selection after being out of action for the last month.
The “Special One” revealed that the talented playmaker had been “training with the team with no limitation”, which meant his absence from the Europa League tie came as all the more surprise.
After the comprehensive win, the 53-year-old manager stated that Mkhitaryan must work harder to get into the team, with competition for places particularly high in the wide and attacking midfield positions.
“He has to work more to get the intensity and fitness to play at a high level,” Mourinho began. “To have him on the bench and give him 15 or 20 minutes like I did to Memphis (Depay), I think it is much better for him to work and wait for his chance, but he is ready very soon.”
Only time will tell if Mkhitaryan plays a part against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, but it would surely be unfair for Mourinho to draft him in for such a huge clash, and Thursday’s game provided a great opportunity for him to build some valuable match-fitness.
United fans will be desperately hoping that Mkhitaryan’s time in England doesn’t go the way of Paris Saint-Germain’s Angel di Maria and that they don’t see another top-class star leave their club after just one season.