Is this the first step on the road to him gaining a first-team place?
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has endured a difficult start to his Manchester United career. Signed after a brilliant season for Borussia Dortmund, the Armenian forward has only made one start – against Manchester City in September, when he was taken off at half-time – and hasn’t played since.
There were reports that Jose Mourinho wasn’t convinced about the player’s suitability for the physical nature of the Premier League, and Mkhitaryan wasn’t helped by an injury he picked up on international duty at the beginning of September.
He has long since returned to training, but the United manager suggested last week that Mkhitaryan is yet to reach the level of fitness he requires for a player to feature.
The 27-year-old was then a spectator at Old Trafford as United played out a frustrating goalless draw with Burnley last Saturday.
However, a few days on, Mkhitaryan is a step closer to featuring for the United first-team, as he has been named in Manchester United’s 21-man squad to play Fenerbahce on Thursday.
United travel to Istanbul for the Europa League tie sitting in second place in Group A. They beat their Turkish opponents 4-1 at Old Trafford two weeks ago, recorded back-to-back victories over the mighty Zorya Luhansk and lost to Feyenoord away 1-0 in their first match of the campaign.
While United fans might be pleased about being in the competition, winning it could be their best chance of securing Champions League football next season, if their poor form in the league continues.
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
It remains to be seen whether Mkhitaryan will be receive any playing time, but he is at least closer to playing than he was this time last week, which will undoubtedly please United fans.
One player who isn’t close to first-team football is Memphis Depay. The Dutch winger hasn’t been included in the squad for the game against Fenerbahce.
Michael Carrick also misses out, and Antonio Valencia is injured so he hasn’t travelled. Phil Jones, who has yet to play under Mourinho due to injury and fitness troubles, has been included in the squad.
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