Man United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be sidelined through injury for longer than expected based on Jose Mourinho’s assessment on Monday.
The Armenian international suffered bruising to his ankle after a heavy challenge from Tottenham’s Danny Rose on Sunday, and it had been initially thought he would only be sidelined for around a week.
However, Mourinho has seemingly extended that recovery period by suggesting that the in-form 27-year-old will face a race against time to be fit over the Christmas period.
“Hopefully he can play Christmas. We believe it’s possible. When I saw him on the stretcher I thought it was more difficult. When I watched the tackle again on TV, I was a bit scared.
“It’s a pity because he is going to miss matches in his best period but at least we don’t lose a player for so long.”
Mkhitaryan will bemoan the timing of the setback as he had started to show signs that he was getting into his stride with goals against Zorya Luhansk and Tottenham.
However, he will now have to focus on his recovery from the injury and hope that it doesn’t keep him sidelined for too long, with United also hoping he returns sooner rather than later and continues to lead their improvement in form.
Jose Mourinho on Henrikh Mkhitaryan's injury: "Hopefully he can play at Christmas. We believe it’s possible." #MUFC pic.twitter.com/jRWAaMcMd1
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2016
More from Mourinho: "It’s a pity because he’s going to miss matches in his best period, but at least we won’t lose him for so long."
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2016