Mourinho assesses Mkhitaryan’s fitness

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not yet back to full fitness with three games to come next week for the Reds, MU official website informs.

Following the 1-1 draw at FC Rostov, in which Micki scored on his return to the side after a hamstring injury, United face trips to Chelsea [in the Emirates FA Cup] and Middlesbrough [in the Premier League] either side of the return leg with the Russians next Thursday.

It is a demanding schedule but the Armenia captain came through the Europa League tie unscathed, despite a poor playing surface, and impressed in a free role behind target man Zlatan Ibrahimovic before being replaced by substitute Anthony Martial.

“We know he cannot play 90 minutes,” Mourinho said. “We knew he would only play 60 minutes – it doesn’t matter [what] the result [was], we made that decision together as he is not in the best condition.

“We gave him freedom to play in attacking positions with Zlatan, to try to find spaces to score. He did well and managed to finish the game without injury, which is important for us.”