Jose Mourinho has revealed that he didn't use Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the weekend draw with Arsenal, because he felt there was too much pressure.
The £26million summer signing has yet to feature in the Premier League since September, when substituted at half-time during the Manchester derby defeat to City.
The midfielder returned to action in United's Europa League loss to Fenerbahce earlier this month, appearing as a late substitute.
But despite captaining his country during the recent international break - in Armenia's 3-2 win over Montenegro - the ex-Borussia Dortmund man was again missing from the squad on Saturday.
“I told him this [Arsenal] was not the game for you," said Mourinho.
"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.”
United host Feyenoord on Thursday in the Europa League, and Mourinho has declared that the Armenian is set to see action.
"I told him that he is going to be involved in the game," Mourinho said.
"He is trying. He is not happy but he is transforming his frustration in a good way, which is to close the mouth and work hard and try to adapt."