And he has warned the Armenian international that, if he does not start performing, he will not play.
Mkhitaryan’s form has dipped so alarmingly after a bright start to the season that he did not even make the bench in United’s last two games, raising question marks over his long-term future at Old Trafford.
Despite playing in his favoured No10 role while Paul Pogba was absent, Mkhitaryan has scored only twice so far this season – the last of them was two months ago. And he has been substituted in each of his last eight appearances.
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 No10, were decreasing step by step.
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“That was enough to leave him out because other players worked to have a chance. Everybody works to have a chance. It’s as simple as that.”
Mourinho confirmed that the £28million signing from Borussia Dortmund will return to Manchester United’s squad for today’s home clash with Brighton – but is likely to be on the bench.
Mourinho also admits he is powerless to stop out of Marouane Fellaini from quitting the club on a free for nothing at the end of the season.
The Belgian international has rejected the offer of a new contract because he is understood to want a longer term deal as well as more regular starts.
Arsenal are believed to head a queue of clubs interested in Fellaini and Mourinho said: “Yes, I am worried but I can do nothing – it is a discussion between the player and the board. So I just wait, wishing they will come to an understanding but it’s out of my control.”