Mkhitaryan a doubt for Manchester derby

Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to miss the Manchester derby on Saturday, after picking up an injury on international duty.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan faces a race against time to be fit for the upcoming Manchester derby, after picking up a thigh injury while playing for Armenia last week.

Mkhitaryan was taken off in the first half of Armenia’s 3-0 friendly defeat to the Czech Republic, following a collision with Czech defender Marek Suchy.

The 27-year-old suffered an impact injury to his thigh which will keep him out of action for 7 to 10 days, making his participation in United’s upcoming clash against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday a severe doubt.

Mkhitaryan signed for United this summer, joining from German side Borussia Dortmund in a £26 million deal and is yet to start a competitive game for the Red Devils.

But the Armenian has made a string of impressive cameo appearances from the bench, the most recent of which was a game changing performance against Hull City, which has led many fans to call for Mkhitaryan to be given the chance to play from the start against City.

But the former Shakhtar Donetsk player will be unlikely to be ready to play in time for Saturday’s derby.

Mkhitaryan was one of four new signing at Old Trafford this summer, along with Eric Baily, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba.