Jose Mourinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan arrive back at the Lowry Hotel after training... as Manchester United prepare for Liverpool clash

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A stern Jose Mourinho returned to the Lowry Hotel in Manchester on Saturday afternoon to make his final preparations for this weekend's crunch match against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Manchester United still trail the Reds by five points in the Premier League, despite a run of nine straight victories in all competitions, and Mourinho will be desperate to secure a morale-boosting victory on Sunday.

The Portuguese manager has urged the club's supporters to create an intimidating atmosphere at Old Trafford following their lacklustre showing against Hull in the EFL Cup semi-final first-leg on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho returned to the Lowry Hotel in Manchester after holding a training session

Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has also been staying in the hotel in Salford

Mourinho has been preparing his side to face rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday

Although the Red Devils secured a 2-0 victory, Mourinho was unhappy with the level of support from the stands at times and has urged the home fans to get behind the team this weekend.

'Sunday is a special match for us, for United fans,' Mourinho said. 'My invitation is don't come to the theatre, come to play, play with us.' 

Mourinho continues to live at the Lowry Hotel while he searches for somewhere suitable to live in Manchester. 

United still trail the Reds by five points despite a run of nine straight wins in all competitions

Mkhitaryan has been living at the Lowry since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund

Summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan has also been staying in the upmarket hotel in Salford since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund last July.

The 27-year-old Armenia international has recovered from a slow start to life in the Premier League and is now starting to show the form that convinced the Red Devils to fork out £26.3million to bring him from Dortmund.

Jurgen Klopp was smiling in midweek as he welcomed back Philippe Coutinho at Southampton

Jordan Henderson has been absent with a heel injury since New Year's Eve but should return

Mkhitaryan gave little away as he returned to the Lowry after United's training session on Saturday but the midfielder is expected to start against Liverpool on Sunday.

Mkhitaryan's former boss, Jurgen Klopp, could start Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip at Old Trafford with all three players closing in on full fitness.

Liverpool will be without Sadio Mane, who is away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, as is United's Ivorian defender Eric Bailly.