- Jose Mourinho has expalined why the game-time of Henrikh Mkhitaryan has reduced drastically recently
- The Portuguese manager said that he can only place five players plus a goalkeeper on the bench and most times the positions are already filled up
- He then added that to add Mkhitaryan to the bench means he will have to drop a player and they all deserve the spot
Manchester United gaffer, Jose Mourinho has taken time to response to a certain session of the Old Trafford crowd that wonders why Henrikh Mkhitaryan hardly makes the bench for the Red Devils.
It was the question on the lips of many Manchester United fans after the Armenian was again left out of Jose Mourinho's squad in their hard fought 1 - 0 victory over Bournemouth.
Mourinho explains why Henrikh Mkhitaryan does not make bench in his side anymore
Mkhitaryan kick-started the season in very impressive form, and was setting up goals at an incredible rate - five in his first three appearances for the Old Trafford club.
READ ALSO: Jose Mourinho gives sarcastic answer to Manchester United title winning chances
But as November came around, the 28-year-old midfielder began finding it quite difficult to maintain his early season form and that lead to a drastic reduction in his game time - two appearances during the entire month.
Mourinho why explaining the reason the Armenian was always on the bench he said: "I can only have six players on the bench and I try to have some balance on the bench.
"I had two defenders that can play in different areas, I have Ashley Young to cover the wing and wing backs position.
"[Ander] Herrera is a midfield player, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] is a striker, [Marcus] Rashford is a second striker and a winger.
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"To have Mkhitaryan means I don't have one of them and I believe the others deserve."
Manchester United bounced back from thier Manchester derby with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday, December 13.
Romelu Lukaku netted the only goal of the game in the 25th minute, his ninth of the season to ensure Manchester United stay three points above Chelsea in third.
Who has the better team; Chelsea or Arsenal? - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Sports.naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 14 December 2017