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Man United boss Jose Mourinho: Why I brought off Henrikh Mkhitaryan
JOSE MOURINHO insists he brought off Henrikh Mkhitaryan when he did for Manchester United, because he was starting to tire.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's first interview at Manchester United
Manchester United cruised to a 4-0 victory over Feyenoord last night in the Europa League, and they will qualify for the last-32 should they draw or beat Zorya Luhansk in their final group game on December 8.
Wayne Rooney registered his 39th goal in Europe for United - a club record.
Mkhitaryan meanwhile, made just his first start for United since September following a combination of injury problems and question marks surrounding his mental strength.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan lasted 82 minutes against Feyenoord
Jesse Lingard celebrates scoring Manchester United's fourth goal
I felt it was the right moment to take him off and to let him come off with a very good performance
But Mourinho was impressed with the way the Armenian playmaker took to the challenge against Feyenoord.
Mkhitaryan lasted 82 minutes before he was replaced by Jesse Lingard.
Speaking about Mkhitaryan’s performance, Mourinho said: “The reception [from the fans] he deserved because he played very well.
Jose Mourinho thought Henrikh Mkhitaryan started to tire for Manchester United
“He’s always improving, improving, improving, improving until the moment he was really tired and I felt it was the right moment to take him off and to let him come off with a very good performance.”
It remains to be seen whether Mkhitaryan will retain his starting spot when Manchester United welcome West Ham to Old Trafford on Sunday (4:30pm).
United are currently sixth in the Premier League table, six points off the top four.
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