Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Offers Update On Shaw, Rooney & Mkhitaryan

Manchester United will be looking to take control of their Europa League group when they take on Fenerbache at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s given reporters a team news and injury update.

The Portuguese coach was pleased to confirm that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is now considered fit and available for selection after finally overcoming a niggling thigh injury.

The playmaker has struggled to overcome the problem after initially suffering a thigh injury while away on international duty in September but he’s been working on his fitness at Carrington and could feature tomorrow night – although Mourinho refused to confirm if he’d start.

Mourinho was also asked whether Wayne Rooney would return to the starting eleven after being dropped for United’s last two games against Stoke and more recently Liverpool.

However, the former Chelsea boss was reluctant to give too much away about his team selection for tomorrow’s Europa League clash against the Turkish giants other than to confirm that Luke Shaw would start.

The England international has missed the last six matches in all competitions after picking up a groin injury against Watford last month but he’s now set to return after finally getting himself back up to full fitness.

Mourinho told ManUtd.com:

“He [Mkhitaryan] was injured and he was injured for quite a long time. Now, he’s not injured anymore.

“He’s training with the team without any limitation. I cannot confirm if he’s [ready] for tomorrow or not, but he’s fit and it’s now time for him to go back to the levels we know that he can achieve.”

“I don’t want to give you the team, honestly. Sometimes I do, sometimes I give some tips, but this time Luke Shaw, he plays. I only bring the players [to the press conference] that are going to start. But he’s the only one I will tell you.

“Wayne is working well, he’s one of those who is responsible for the atmosphere that the players can breathe because he’s positive, he’s a good example. We count on him to start or be on the bench. He will be there tomorrow.”

United head in to tomorrow’s game sitting third in Group A after picking up three points from their first two matches but they can leapfrog leaders Fenerbache with a win at Old Trafford.