Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admits Henrikh Mkhitaryan excluded due to Arsenal transfer links

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s absence from Manchester United’s squad on Monday night was down to uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.

Mkhitaryan has been linked with a transfer this January, and Arsenal have emerged as a potential destination in what could see Alexis Sanchez move in the opposite direction.

United are reportedly prepared to allow Mkhitaryan to join Arsenal and the Armenian was nowhere to be seen in the squad that took on Stoke.

Mkhitaryan did not even make the bench, despite Mourinho previously saying the midfielder would feature against the Potters.

Mourinho explained: ‘I would lie if I said it was a pure tactical decision. It was just a choice of the players that we know, in this moment, they have 100 per cent their heads in Manchester United.

‘No doubts about the future. I don’t think it’s easy for a player to play when there are doubts about his future.

‘It’s added pressure that a player doesn’t need, so I think it’s the best for him and for us, while the doubt is in the air, to protect him.’

Mkhitaryan has seen his stock fall off a cliff at United in recent months with Mourinho thought to be concerned with his focus and fitness.

Mourinho has handed Mkhitaryan eleven starts in the Premier League this season and the 28-year-old has made the matchday squad for the past four games after missing the previous five matches.