Rooney and Mkhitaryan to battle over Man Utd starting place

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney faces a battle with Henrikh Mkhitaryan for a place in the Red Devils first team, according to reports.

The Manchester Evening news is reporting that Wayne Rooney is in direct competition with summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan for a berth in the Old Trafford club’s first choice line up.

Rooney, who was dropped to the bench for United’s 4-1 win over Premier League champions Leicester City at the weekend – is set to be restored to the team for the Europa League group stage game against Zorya Luhansk of Ukraine at Old Trafford on Thursday.

But the MEN believes that the England skipper is faces a battle with Mkhitaryan to get into the Premier League eleven for the visit of Stoke City on Sunday.

Mkhitaryan has not featured since being taken off at half time in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on 10 September.

The Armenian has been ruled out with a minor injury, but returned to training on Tuesday, and could play against Zorya tomorrow night.

Mkhitaryan was signed from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund for £26 million this summer, and is yet to break into the starting selection of manager Jose Mourinho.

There had been a growing feeling among many observers that Rooney is should no longer be considered a guaranteed starter, and when Mourinho decided to leave him out against Leicester, the Red Devils produced one of their finest performances for some time.