Mourinho provides injury update on Mkhitaryan

The Red Devils are now sixth in the standings following a run of one win in their last eight top-flight matches, and they have thrown away winning positions against Arsenal and Everton in recent weeks.

Fellaini came on for the last minute of the match. He also became the first Armenian to score in the EPL.

But Mourinho refused to condemn the supporters. He said: “I had that feeling”.

“It would have been more frustrating for me if everything went wrong”.

Six of the host’s last eight league games have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 12/5 (3.40) on them being held to another stalemate in this one.

“It’s easy to say with hindsight, but when he brought on Marouane Fellaini late on against Everton last week you could see what was going to happen”.

“Marouane is a player that I like, and a person that I like”. “So he will have always my protection and my trust”.

Mourinho’s team remain 13 points below leaders Chelsea, but closed to within three points of fifth-place Spurs and six of Manchester City, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League berth.

He added: “In terms of the evolution of the team, no it wasn’t must-win. Hopefully we have him for Boxing Day”, Mourinho told MUTV.

“The post and Lloris meant it was just 1-0 but at this moment 1-0 is magic because we needed these three points. If we lose, it is nine”.

Mkhitaryan was stretchered off in the 84th minute after being caught by Danny Rose and rolling his left ankle, but Mourinho played down the injury, saying the 27-year-old would be out for “maximum two weeks”.

“Manchester United is one of the big names in the competition and it will be hard for us, but we have two months without the Europa League and we can forget it for that time”. “We need to be ready on Wednesday for another game, but I think it was an even game”.

“I think a little bit disappointed, but not disappointed with our performance”.

Television: UK viewers can catch the action on Sky Sports 1, while NBCSN will be broadcasting the game in the US.