Henrikh Mkhitaryan set to come back from the cold and start for Manchester United in Carabao Cup clash with Bristol City as players report for training at Carrington on Tuesday

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Jose Mourinho is set to recall Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Manchester United's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Championship side Bristol City on Wednesday.

The Armenian forward has fallen out of favour in recent weeks and not even made the bench for eight of United's last nine games.

His absence indicated he could be allowed to leave Old Trafford in the near future but manager Mourinho insists he remains in his thoughts.

Jose Mourinho will recall Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Manchester United's Carabao Cup match

The Armenian forward has fallen out of favour in recent weeks but looks set to return

Manager Mourinho looks set to bring Mkhitaryan back in to face Bristol City on Wednesday

Mkhitaryan was among the stars spotted arriving at United's base at Carrington on Tuesday for training, headlights blazing against the wintry gloom.

Competition for attacking places is fierce with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all featuring regularly in matchday squads.

Mourinho said: 'We need to take the game really seriously but I'm going to make a few changes and it's possible Miki is involved.

'In this moment we are playing with Mata, Lingard, Rashford or Martial and Lukaku, and the bench has been Ibra and one of the other ones - Martial or Rashford. There is no space for everybody because you need balance on the bench too.'

Manchester Unitd's players reported for training at their Carrington base on Tuesday

Forward Anthony Martial arrives for training in the back of an Uber amid the wintry gloom

Mourinho, who has key midfielder Paul Pogba available again after suspension, does not want to make wholesale changes for the trip to Ashton Gate.

The competition, which United won last season, now looks a more realistic route to silverware than the Premier League.

United are still second in the table but already trail leaders Manchester City, who are unbeaten and showing no signs of weakness, by 11 points.