Europa League: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Breaks Duck as Manchester United Go Through

United approach the match buoyed by the 2-0 win against Zorya Luhansk that secured safe passage to the Europa League last 32.

Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan finally seems to have impressed manager Jose Mourinho.

The enforced absence is still cruel on Mkhitaryan, who scored his second goal in two matches to help United to a win that pulls them to within six points of fourth-placed Manchester City.

On Mkhitaryan, Carragher added that he is “new to the Premier League”, and said: “He was very bad in the first-half against Manchester City”.

The Red Devils have endured another tough opening to a Premier League season, with Jose Mourinho thus far unable to shake a sleeping giant from its slumber. “I find that we should have many more points than we have because when you look at the table it looks like other teams are better than us which in my opinion is not true”.

While José Mourinho stated after the victory over Tottenham that he accepted supporters booing Fellaini, Jones said: “It is disappointing but he is a strong boy”.

“Look, if you want to compare this match tonight (against Zorya) with Everton match, we can”, he said, throwing back to last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

In the past players have had training at Carrington on the morning of Christmas Day before going home to their families.

While underperforming in attack, United have done slightly better defensively given the number of injuries they have had to deal with. As a Manchester United fan I like them more.

“When the rumours were getting bigger we were always anxious, especially with this manager”, Vertonghen said.

“I told my players not to be anxious and to do their best”, he said.

Having persistently said United’s league position did not reflect the performances of his side, Mourinho felt his team’s play was vindicated in the win over fifth-placed Tottenham. They are trying, they are putting some warmth on the top of it, but the pitch is very hard and people can not make miracles.

“Tottenham, for me, is a very complete team”.

“I think you are a journalist and you are the one who admits they deserve more”.

“Everybody was feeling like it could be more of the same and again, we had more opportunities to score the second goal”.