Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan set for injury return

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is in contention for a recall to the Manchester United first team after resuming training ahead of the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce. The Armenia international has not played since the derby defeat to Manchester City in September due to a thigh strain but having made a full recovery is in line to resume the campaign.

The 27-year-old played in the club's first five matches of the season but has not featured since the 2-1 loss to City at Old Trafford on 10 September. The ex-Borussia Dortmund man however played a full part in training on the eve of the visit of Turkish giants Fenerbache and is braced to be included in Jose Mourinho's plans.

Anthony Martial and Morgan Schneiderlin both missed the goalless draw with Liverpool through injury, but were also involved in training as was Luke Shaw who made his first United appearance for four weeks as a 90<sup>th minute substitute at Anfield. Mourinho was otherwise coy over his team selection, including over the role of captain Wayne Rooney.

"I don't want to give you the team," he told reporters, according to the United official website. "Sometimes I do, sometimes I give some tips but this time the only one – Luke Shaw – he plays. I only bring players who are going to start and he is the only one I tell you. I don't want to say.

"Wayne is working well. He is responsible for the atmosphere that the players can breathe because he is positive, he is friendly and he is a good example. We count on him, to start or to be on the bench. He will be there [in the United squad] tomorrow.

"Mkhitaryan was injured, he is not injured any more and is training without any limitations. I cannot confirm if he will play tomorrow but he is fit and it is time for him to go back to the levels we know he can achieve."

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce's preparations for the trip to Old Trafford were disrupted after the plane carrying their team to Manchester was forced into an unscheduled landing in Budapest. The club confirmed a pigeon struck the plane's windscreen during the flight, forcing the pane to crack but insisted there was no reason for any further alarm.