Mkhitaryan will be out until Boxing Day – Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has said that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is likely to miss Manchester United’s next two matches after he picked up an injury during the 1-0 home victory over Tottenham.

The Armenian winger gave United the lead after 29 minutes of Sunday’s Premier League game to build on his recent string of encouraging performances, but had to be carried off on a stretcher after going over on his left ankle when challenged by Danny Rose in the 85th minute.

United travel to Crystal Palace and West Brom in their next two fixtures, but Mourinho predicted that Mkhitaryan’s setback would keep him out until the Boxing Day clash with Sunderland at Old Trafford.

He told MUTV: “It looks like the next match no, but it looks like nothing really dangerous or needing surgery.

“Hopefully we will have Mickey on Boxing Day.”

Mkhitaryan’s goal marked his first in the Premier League since joining from Borussia Dortmund and came after he opened his account for the club in the 2-0 win over Zorya on Thursday that sealed United’s passage into the last 32.