Out-of-favour Manchester United attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan will play against Feyenoord on Thursday, according to Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese manager has admitted the Armenia star is struggling to cope with the pressure at Old Trafford, but confirmed the former Borussia Dortmund player will feature against the Dutch side later this week.
“I told him [Saturday] that he is going to be involved in the game against Feyenoord. 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,” Mourinho said.
“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.”
The 27-year-old has been frustrated in his efforts to establish himself in Jose Mourinho’s starting eleven so far and it appears as though the Armenian needs more time to adapt to the demands of English football and his new surroundings.
The Feyenoord game could be crucial for Mkhitaryan as he needs to prove he’s ready to fight for his place in the starting eleven.
If he plays well against the Eredivisie side, he could be back in Mourinho’s Premier League starting eleven in no time.
However, if he fails to convince with his performance, his future at the club may become even vaguer.
