Manchester United midfielder out with ankle injury — Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Progress to the EFL Cup semi-finals and Europa League knockout stages has been tempered by poor results in the Premier League, if promising displays.

The Armenian marked his performance with the winning goal and although he will play no part in the away games at Crystal Palace on Wednesday and West Brom on Saturday, Mourinho is expecting him back sooner rather than later. Home team performed well and completely dominated the first half. The Belgium defender has been out since October and his ability to help the team defensively as well as while attacking will certainly be a plus point for them.

Mourinho is not anxious Mkhitaryan’s absence will hurt United, though, as he feels they have plenty of alternatives heading into Wednesday’s match against Crystal Palace. However, an otherwise impressive afternoon ended on a sour note as he was stretchered off with five minutes remaining at Old Trafford after sustaining a left ankle injury during a hefty challenge from left-back Danny Rose.

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England.

“When I saw the tackle on TV, I was scared”, Mourinho said. Man United is one of the big names in the competition.

Mourinho has come in for some criticism of his treatment of Mkhitaryan since his arrival at the club, leaving him out of the majority of match day squads and publicly questioning his ability to adapt to the Premier League.

Fellaini was widely jeered after coming on as a late substitute after the United midfielder conceded a last gasp penalty at Everton last Sunday. “They’ve never heard anything like it – not even under Fergie”, a source told SunSports said.

“I feel I have to prove – not to the others – to myself”.

“The post and Lloris meant it was just 1-0 but at this moment 1-0 is magic because we needed these three points”. “That’s why I want to make it clear he’s an important player for me”. “He will always have my protection and trust”.

“Maybe UEFA is not happy and maybe UEFA now takes some money from Zorya, which I think Zorya doesn’t deserve’. He’s played in the first team, he’s started playing really well and now he’s scored his goal, and it was a really good goal as well, what a goal to open your account”. United just need him to play as many games as possible.

Mourinho refrained from criticising United fans after the match, although dedicated the Spurs win to his under-fire midfielder.

“We don’t know now”, Pochettino said when asked about the severity of his injury.

“We need to assess him”.

“Mkhitaryan was quiet, he closed his mouth, worked really hard waiting for this opportunity and is playing so well now. We will see tomorrow”.