Manchester United news: Henrikh Mkhitaryan 'stunned' as Jose Mourinho leaves him out of Europa League match

Mkhitaryan was left out of the squad that beat Fenerbahce 4-1 in midweek despite recovering from the thigh injury that has kept him sidelined for the last month

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was left out of Manchester United's squad to face Fenerbahce (Getty)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s future at Manchester United is already in doubt after he was left confused and unhappy with his omission from Jose Mourinho’s squad that dispatched Fenerbahce 4-1 during the week.

Despite being fully fit, Mkhitaryan was a notable absentee from the Europa League tie, with the Armenia international watching on from the stands at Old Trafford. Mkhitaryan has not been seen in a United shirt since the 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City last month, with a thigh injury sustained while on international duty keeping him sidelined.

Mourinho confirmed ahead of the European fixture that Mkhitaryan was available for selection again, but would need to be assessed given his lack of match fitness. The logical decision would’ve been to give the 27-year-old playing time in the European competition given that United take on Mourinho’s former side Chelsea this weekend in a Premier League grudge match, but he did not even make the substitutes’ bench.

Ahead of the match, Mourinho confirmed that Mkhitaryan had been “training with the team with no limitation”, but his absence has now raised concerns over his future at Old Trafford.

The Times reports that Mkhitaryan was left “stunned” by Mourinho’s decision, and despite only joining United in the summer in a £26m transfer from Borussia Dortmund, he could be facing the exit already unless he is able to turn around Mourinho’s verdict on his ability.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho made it clear that he wants the Armenian to work harder in order to force his way into the side. With the likes Memphis Depay, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Ashley Young also competing for the wide positions in Mourinho’s squad, Mkhitaryan faces a battle to get back into Mourinho’s plans, having only made one start this season in the derby defeat.

“He has to work more to get the intensity and fitness to play at a high level,” Mourinhop said after the win over Fenerbahce.

“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.”