"Manchester United" coach Jose Mourinho did not include Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the lineup for tonight's match against "Stoke City" and hinted that he could leave the team.
The attacking midfielder is linked with a move to London's "Arsenal" - he would become part of a deal in which Alexis Sanchez would come to the "Red Devils."
Lately, it has become clear that "Man United" has become the favorite to acquire the leader of the "Gunners", and the Armenian's omission from the squad for the rivals further increases the likelihood of this transfer.
"I would be lying if I said it was purely a tactical decision," Mourinho told "Sky Sports" about leaving out Mkhitaryan. "I simply chose those players who, as we know, at this moment are 100 percent focused on 'Manchester United'.
"There are no doubts about their future. I don't think that, in the presence of doubts about the future, it is easy for a footballer to play. This is an additional pressure that a player does not need, so I think it is best for both him and us. As long as doubts are circulating, it is important to protect him."
Mkhitaryan joined the "Red Devils" team for £30 million in 2016. Before that, he shone in the ranks of Borussia Dortmund, but he did not establish himself in Manchester.
