Mkhitaryan grinding it out to reclaim Manchester United starting spot

Bengaluru, December 1: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been working out longer with an aim to win over manager Jose Mourinho and revive his Manchester United career after recent omission from the squad, according to reports.

The Armenian international made a flying start to his second season at Old Trafford where he bagged five assists in the opening three games. But, since then the 28-year-old has been off colour and has failed to put in a decent performance.

His dip in form saw him dropped from the squad temporarily and lately, he has sat out against Watford and Newcastle, while he made only a late substitute appearance in last weekend’s win over Brighton.

On his omission, Mourinho recently suggested that he ignored the former Dortmund attacker because he was losing focus in games and his overall gameplay has dipped whereas other players have been better than him on the training ground.

Mourinho said: "I was not happy with his last performances. I’m not speaking about one or two, I’m speaking about three, four or five

"He started the season very well and after that, step by step, he was disappearing.

"His performance levels in terms of goal scoring and assists, high pressing, recovering the ball high up the pitch, bringing the team with him as a No.10, were decreasing step by step.

"That was enough because the others worked to have a chance. Everybody works to have a chance. It’s as simple as that."

However, to his response, the former Shakhtar playmaker has now reportedly been putting in extra efforts in the gym to develop his physical strength and is spending extra time in the Carrington training complex in order to gain back his starting spot.

United are set to be in a busy schedule during the festive period where they will play nine matches over the month. The Red Devils first play rivals Arsenal away and it is unlikely that the attacker will force his way back into the starting line-up now after impressive displays from Lingard.

However, with so many matches to come, the attacker will surely get his chance at some point which he has to utilize.