Manchester United boss José Mourinho has revealed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will play a part as United take on Feyenoord in a crucial Europa League clash on Thursday.

The Reds are a point behind group leaders Fenerbahce as well as the Dutch side and Mourinho will be hoping that his side secure the three points at the Theatre of Dreams in order to keep their European hopes alive ahead of the final group fixture against Zorya Luhansk in December.

And Mkhitaryan, who has barely featured since joining United this summer from Borussia Dortmund and made his return after recovering from a groin injury in the Europa League defeat to Fenerbahce on the previous matchday, has been confirmed to play a part in Thursday night’s fixture.

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Speaking after United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday, Mourinho said:

Yes. I told him today [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.

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.

Mourinho will be expected to rotate his side after squandering a lead against the Gunners at the weekend, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic expected to come back into the side after being suspended for the weekend’s big clash.

Of course, Feyenoord beat United on the opening matchday in the Europa League, so a win is vital if the Reds want to play European football beyond Christmas.