Henrikh Mkhitaryan made a slow start to his Manchester United career, which was partly down to injuries and trying to get to grips with the Premier League.
However, over the past six weeks, the Armenian has become increasingly influential for the Red Devils.
The £26million summer signing was on the scoresheet in the 3-0 win over Leicester yesterday.
Although it seemed Mourinho initially had reservations about Mkhitaryan, he has set the record straight on the matter.
GETTY
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been instrumental for Manchester United in recent weeks
GETTY
Jose Mourinho has explained that he tried to 'protect' Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Manchester United
Sometimes we don't play players, we protect them, and Mkhitaryan was one of these cases
Jose Mourinho
“Sometimes the best way to protect players is not to play them,” Mourinho said.
“Sometimes we don't play players, we protect them, and Mkhitaryan was one of these cases.
"He was being protected and he was adapting and I can see not just what you see, because you see the magic things he can do on the pitch.
"But I also see other things that I want to see and Mkhitaryan is playing really, really well."
United, who are sixth in the table, are just two points off the top four.
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