Why Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed Red Devils’ disappointing draw against Stoke

MANCHESTER UNITED could have done with Henrikh Mkhitaryan's creative flair as they lumbered to a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke on Sunday.

But for the sixth consecutive game, the £30million summer signing watched from the sidelines despite returning to training last week.

3

3

The Armenian international hasn't featured since he picked up a knock in the 2-1 defeat against rivals Manchester City in September and it was expected that he would make a return, at least to the substitute bench against the Potters.

However instead of preparing for the match with the rest of his teammates on Saturday evening at the Lowry hotel, Mkhitaryan spent his time having dinner with Manchester City's Nolito at the swanky San Carlo restaurant.

And the 27-year-old missed the Premier League clash as Manchester United want the playmaker to fully recover from his thigh injury.

With Armenia set to face a double header of World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Poland, United have requested that Mkhitaryan misses out because he is "not yet able to train fully without restrictions."

related articles

HERO RETURN

West Ham hero seen for first time since revealing tragic cancer diagnosis

EZE DOES IT

Crystal Palace 2 Southampton 1: Chalobah and Eze ease relegation fears

SCORES ON THE DOORS

Liverpool face West Ham, Spurs drop points, Haaland scores in City win

FULHAM 2-2 B'MOUTH

Super sub Dango Ouattara rescues late point as visitors fight back twice

3

If Mkhitaryan featured against Stoke, then their approach to the Armenia Football Federation would have looked highly suspicious.

The letter sent by United doctor Steve McNally said: "Henrikh is still undergoing late stage rehabilitation from the left thigh muscle injury that he sustained earlier this month whilst playing for Manchester United.

"Although his progress has been good over the past week, he is participating in limited aspects of team training and is not yet able to train fully without restrictions or play competitively.

"In view of that I would be grateful if he could be allowed to withdraw from the National Team for the forthcoming training camp and FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches in order to remain in Manchester to complete his rehabilitation."